Mexican Navy Delegation Visits NSSA

By By Chris Wyatt, Norfolk Ship Support Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Norfolk Ship Support Activity (NSSA) welcomed the Mexican Navy Delegation to Building CEP-200, Naval Station Norfolk, Aug. 21.

The purpose of the visit was to demonstrate how one of the Navy's Regional Maintenance Centers (RMC) operates. NSSA Production Officer Capt. James S. Talbert briefed the delegation on NSSA's RMC shop capabilities and its organizational structure.

"We just wanted to show them a snapshot of how our organization runs," said Talbert.

The delegation toured several production shops including air conditioning and repair, pump, flex hose, valve, powdercoat and gas turbine training room. At each shop, the delegation was met by a subject matter expert who briefed them on their shop's capabilities.

The last stop on the tour was the gas turbine training room. Chief Gas Turbine System (Mechanical) Technician Raymond Hubbard, leading chief petty officer, gave a brief on the capabilities of the LM2500 gas turbine.

"This is the main propulsion engine used on the guided missile cruisers, frigates and destroyers," said Hubbard.

Upon completion of the tour, Director of Mexican Navy General Staff, Rear Adm. Gregorio Martinez Nunez presented Talbert with his command's coin.

"It's very interesting to see the capacity that the United States Navy has to train their personnel," said Nunez. "It shows professionalism and reflects the potential that the U.S. Navy has and hopefully we can have that same potential."