Truman, NNSY complete largest DPIA in NNSY history
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Taylor DiMartino, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs
ATLANTIC OCEAN — The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) completed
its 16-month docking planned incremental availability (DPIA), conducted at Norfolk Naval
Shipyard (NNSY), July 15.
Truman’s DPIA was the largest ever completed, totaling more than 5 million man-hours
and more than 43,000 component unit phases.
“The crew and our NNSY teammates remained focused throughout this challenging
DPIA to ensure we returned our great warship back to fleet service,” said Capt. Dee L.
Mewbourne, Truman’s commanding officer.
While at NNSY, Truman’s rudders were removed and replaced, the ship’s steering
system was improved, its propellers were refurbished and re-installed, and its hull, freeboard,
anchors and anchor chains were blasted, primed, and re-painted.
“The DPIA provided an opportunity to perform underwater hull inspections and other
maintenance related evolutions that could not be accomplished while the ship was waterborne,”
said Lt. Cmdr. Scott Shea, Truman’s maintenance manager. “The DPIA provided sufficient time
to perform more extensive modernization.”
The modernizations incorporated more than 280 ship alterations, including a new mast,
said Shea.
“It is very rewarding to see Truman back at sea,” said Matt Durkin, NNSY project
supervisor for Truman’s DPIA. “For the ship, the shipyard, all of the people who did any work
on Truman, the reward for such a long period in the shipyard is seeing a ship that looks brand
new.”
In addition to physical improvements, the ship’s force partnered with NNSY to complete
combat systems upgrades, which affected more than 70 percent of Truman’s total combat
systems.
“Though Truman’s DPIA has been challenging, we all ought to feel incredibly confident
with our product,” said Durkin. “Everyone should be proud to have been a part of this DPIA. We
have left a legacy with Truman, and this ship will be here for a long, long time.”
Truman is currently underway conducting flight deck certification.
“This was a tremendous project that could never have been accomplished without the
great teamwork we built,” said Mewbourne.