USS Virginia Arrives at PNSY for First Extended Maintenance Availability

PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD, Maine (NNS) -- Attack submarine USS Virginia (SSN 774) and her crew arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) Sept. 1, for a first-of-its-class major maintenance availability that is scheduled to begin Oct. 1.

While at the shipyard, Virginia will undergo an Extended Dry-docking Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA) consisting of various maintenance work and several system upgrades.

PNSY Virginia-class Program Manager Terry L'Heureux and Project Superintendent Bill Caron, have spent the last 36 months working with the Virginia-class planning team for this availability.

"We are all very excited," said Cmdr. Gus Vergara, deputy project superintendent. "We've been working towards this day for years and we are ready to execute. The submarine force is looking to us to deliver Virginia on time and at or below cost."

Commissioned Oct. 23, 2004, Virginia is the first of the newest class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, built to excel in anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; strike group support; and mine warfare missions. Adept at operating in both the world's shallow littoral regions and deep waters, Virginia directly enables five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities-sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.

Nearly three years prior to Virginia's arrival, the shipyard assembled a Virginia-class planning team comprised of individuals from the Engineering and Production Departments. The team developed the detailed workload strategy and execution plans for this first Virginia-class availability. The team also identified the resources and skill sets required to perform the work associated with the new class of submarine to ensure PNSY was ready to execute on day one.

"Bottom line is, we've talked enough," said Capt. Bryant Fuller, shipyard commander. "We're ready. Let's go to work!"

The on-time or early completion of submarine availabilities are critical in the maintenance of today's fleet and is essential to maintaining warfighter readiness. PNSY, a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command, is committed to maximize the material readiness of the fleet by ensuring every ship is ready to respond to the Navy's mission.