Mast-stepping ceremony marks milestone in Stennis RCOH

Shipbuilders Wesley Smith (left) and Clay O’Brien attach a time capsule to the interior of the main mast of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as part of the mast -stepping ceremony [Photo: Ashley Cown/HII]

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII) Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division last week marked a milestone in the $3 billion refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of the nuclear aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). NNS shipbuilders and USS John C. Stennis sailors held a mast-stepping ceremony that continued an ancient maritime custom of placing a coin underneath the ship’s mast to bring good fortune. A time capsule containing photos, a piece of the old mast, several coins and other artifacts will be attached to the interior of the main mast.

“It’s always great making significant progress and checking off major accomplishments during this RCOH period – today is yet another triumph by this team,” said Capt. J. Patrick Thompson III, the ship’s commanding officer. “This mast stepping allows us to acknowledge our past as we move into the future. Today we place a number of items in our time capsule to weld to the mast – to honor this moment in history, and more importantly to honor the workers and Stennis crew members helping us prepare the ship for another 25 years.”

The ceremony followed a major milestone this spring when the shipyard installed the ship’s new main mast, which raises the carrier’s distinctive profile 123 feet above the flight deck. This marks the first RCOH during which the mast was installed all in one section using a new 315-ton crane that HII invested in to support the RCOH program.

“When the mast lands on the carrier, it represents one of the most visible construction milestones in the overhaul,” said Rob Check, NNS vice president, in-service aircraft carrier programs. “Our highly skilled shipbuilders are working with our Navy partners, our suppliers and numerous contractors to recapitalize this ship and deliver her back to the Navy for another 25 years of service.”

The RCOH process is performed only once during the ship’s 50-year lifetime and involves upgrades to nearly every space and system on the ship. Tanks, the hull, shafting, propellers, rudders, piping, ventilation, electrical, combat and aviation support systems are repaired, upgraded and modernized. Work also includes defueling and refueling the ship’s two nuclear reactors, and repairs, maintenance and upgrades to the propulsion plant.

The RCOH represents 35% of all maintenance and modernization in an aircraft carrier’s service life.