USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) has departed from Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) to participate in sea trials, following a ten-month planned incremental availability (PIA) period.
USS Harry S. Truman's Commanding Officer Capt. Ryan B. Scholl said: "Truman is ready to tackle the next stage of doing what carriers do: conducting prompt and sustained combat operations from the sea."
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The PIA began in September 2016 and saw a number of critical works carried out on the ship, including upgrades to its internal and external communication network, as well as installation of more than 3,000 Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) assets and the next-generation tactical afloat network, which bolsters operational effectiveness and offers better quality of life for sailors.
Sailors and contractors partnered to repair almost 4,500 reactor material items to ensure the ship's operational longevity.
Maintenance and refurbishments were also made to shipboard systems to prepare for future operations.
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Rehabilitation work was carried out on 90,000ft2 of Truman's hangar bay, 7,000ft2 of its flight deck combing and scuppers, and 10,000ft2 of catwalk.
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By GlobalDataUSS Harry S. Truman's maintenance manager Lt. Cmdr. Jeremiah Nelson said: "This PIA was all about smart coordination between workforces and making sure we worked safely.
"There was a tonne of work to be done, but all hands did an excellent job of executing their mission.
"We had a lot of people on this project and they all helped to ensure this ship re-entered the fleet operating at its maximum potential."
The navy noted that USS Harry S. Truman is departing NNSY one day ahead of schedule.
NNSY also teamed up with Newport News, Pearl Harbor and Puget Sound naval shipyards to complete the maintenance works.
Truman project superintendent Mike Jennings said: "There was a lot of emergent work during this availability. The biggest asset we used to ensure our success was our partnership and teamwork approach.
"We were one team with one fight, and that included everyone who worked on this project."
In addition to the system upgrades, refurbishments were done to crew living spaces, involving the rehabilitation of 12 berthing spaces, 10 heads and the preservation of 963 decks.
USS Harry S. Truman prepares for an upcoming programme comprising several training exercises relating to damage control, flight deck operations and simulated combat at sea.
NNSY commanding officer Capt. Scott Brown said: "The CNO started an initiative called 'The Team of Winners,' and I think this is a perfect example of that.
"We know with this availability what it feels like to win. We're going to carry that throughout the rest of the shipyard and use the leverage gained by Mike Jennings and Captain Scholl in getting this ship out on time."
USS Harry S. Truman's spot at NNSY is set to be occupied by USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) as it undergoes its PIA next month.
Truman will move to its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk following the completion of the sea trials.
Image: The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) transits the Elizabeth River from Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Photo: Courtesy of the US Navy by mass communication specialist 1st Class Kevin F. Johnson.
