SRF-JRMC to Finish Extensive Modernization and Repair Works for USS Shiloh

The U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center (SRF-JRMC) is busy providing the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) extensive modernization and repair during an extended Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) and concurrent dry-docking.

Docking Shiloh for dry dock makes the modernization easier and is necessary to perform critical emergent repairs essential to maintaining and improving the 19-year-old ship’s operational capabilities.

Normally, non-docking SRAs for forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF) combatant ships last 11 weeks and are conducted about every 18 months. SRAs provide the maintenance and modernization FDNF ships need to meet 7th Fleet requirements.

The Shiloh SRA is unique in a number of ways. First, it is approximately eight months long – three times the length of a normal FDNF SRA. The unusually large modernization package necessitated lengthening Shiloh’s SRA. The major modifications are the “all electric” modification, aviation support alterations required to embark MH-60R helicopters, and upgrades to the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system. This is the first time any of these alterations have been done in Yokosuka. The all-electric modification removes Shiloh’s waste heat boilers, steam system and steam operated equipment and installs “all electric” equipment.

Ship’s force submits repair requirements based on the condition of the ship and its equipment to the Shiloh Port Engineer Marlon Abreu. As the maintenance team leader, Abreu screens Shiloh’s submissions to determine their priority and to decide when to schedule the work. “To prepare for the SRA, the port engineer and ship’s maintenance team review the current ship’s maintenance plan (CSMP), required maintenance, and the class maintenance plan,” said Abreu.

One of the challenges of maintaining an FDNF ship is that most of ship’s force transfers by the next time equipment is due for maintenance or requires repair. According to Abreu, “Tracking the ship’s maintenance history is critical to ensuring success of the planning and accomplishment of an SRA.”

“Ship’s jobs, material condition assessments identified work, class maintenance plan phased maintenance and planned modernization are used to build the SRA package,” said Abreu . “The proposed SRA work package is also screened by the SRFJRMC Project Team, whose members include the project manager, type desk assistant, Japanese and military ship superintendents, combat systems port engineer and the port engineer. We all work together to ensure a successful SRA.”

The project team ensures proper identification and accurate planning of work, timely purchase of required material and development of an availability execution schedule.

Production Shop assignments of planned work are based on the specific job requirements, according to Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Williams, Shiloh ship superintendent.

“Communication is the key to everything involving ship repair. We need to talk continually with the ship on what we are doing and why we are doing it to ensure that the ship understands the big picture and where we are headed with their ship,” said Williams.

Regular SRAs provide FDNF ships with dedicated time for comprehensive maintenance, repairs, and modernization too complex or lengthy for routine upkeep periods. Shiloh’s current SRA is not a scheduled docking SRA (DSRA). While, the nature of the mechanical and electrical modifications warranted a concurrent docking, emergent propulsion shaft repairs necessitated docking the ship.

“Originally, we did not plan to remove the propeller, hubs and shafts. Once we identified the need, it was very opportune that we already had a concurrent docking planned. This is going to be a very successful SRA, accomplishing deep maintenance that the ship needs,” said Abreu. “This SRA is critical to ensuring the full life of the ship, as recently extended by the Chief of Naval Operations. When we complete this SRA, not only will Shiloh by ready for sea, but ready to fight and meet her operational commitments as never before.”

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Source: japanbases, October 6, 2011