NAVSEA Promotes Fleet Readiness at Symposium

From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) participated in the Fleet Maintenance and Modernization Symposium (FMMS) 2010 in Virginia Beach, Va., Sept. 14.

Organized by the Tidewater Section of the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE), FMMS featured technical presentations and paneled discussions on Navy ship maintenance advances and challenges, along with exhibits by military and industry representatives showcasing their initiatives and products.

"Life cycle support, including technical rigor imbedded in well-defined class maintenance plans, and effectively executed maintenance processes are key focal points across NAVSEA. These are the key enablers to ensuring our ships remain effective war fighting platforms and achieve their full design service lives. This is Job No. 1 for all of us at NAVSEA - we are the team that must deliver material readiness for the fleet," said Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy, NAVSEA commander. "We are responsible, and we are accountable. We want to be not only responsive, but more importantly proactive, as we work to ensure every ship is ready to respond to the Navy's missions."

Scheduled speakers for the event included Assistant Secretary of the Navy Sean J. Stackley; Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead; Adm. John C. Harvey Jr., commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; and Rear Adm. John Clarke Orzalli, NAVSEA vice commander.

NAVSEA exhibits at the event included the Fleet Readiness Engineering Office (FREO); a collaborative Naval Surface Warfare Center booth representing Divisions Carderock, Dahlgren, Corona and Dam Neck; and NAVSEA 21, the dedicated life-cycle management organization for the Navy's in-service surface ships.

"The Fleet Maintenance and Modernization Symposium is a good venue for us to showcase some of the maintenance- and fuel-saving technologies we bring to the fleet," said FREO Director Doyle Kitchin. "There's usually a good mix of Navy maintenance professionals, Sailors and vendors who stop by our booth."

The annual symposium, which drew more than 1,100 participants and exhibitors, alternates venues between the East and West coasts. FMMS 2011 is scheduled to be held in San Diego.