Next May, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission will release its list of affected bases. Like the U.S. Navy as a whole and its ships and people, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard—the Navy's oldest publicly owned shipyard—has adapted and transformed to remain competitive in the world. Both as an engineer officer on the USS Hammerhead (SSN-663), where I spent 11 months at the shipyard in the early 1970s, and as a former commander of the Atlantic Submarine Force in the mid-1990s, I am well aware of Portsmouth's extraordinary record.
The Past
In response to the U.S. government's need to build specialized warships shortly after the creation of the Navy, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was built in 1800. At the outbreak of the second war with the British, in 1812, Congress tasked Portsmouth to begin construction of a 74-gun ship-of-the-line, the USS Washington. Although completed after hostilities ended, this and subsequent ships-of-the-line demonstrated that the United States was committed to the defense of the nation's maritime trade.
With the new century, Portsmouth began constructing transformational ships: submarines in World War I. In World War II, the shipyard constructed more than 70 submarines-a record unmatched by any other public or private U.S. shipyard.
In the postwar era, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard became the Navy's center for submarine design and development. The prototype USS Albacore (AGSS-569), with its teardrop-shaped hull and round cross-section, among other innovations, set a new worldwide design standard for quieter, faster, and more maneuverable submarines. In 1958, Portsmouth became the first government shipyard to build a nuclear submarine.
For 200 years, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has cultivated a community of shipbuilders. The sense of transformation is deeply ingrained with the men and women who have built and maintained some of the finest Navy ships. Without this shipyard, such a community of craftsmen would be difficult to reconstitute.
The Present
Today, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard overhauls, repairs, modernizes and refuels nuclear-powered submarines. Portsmouth holds the current cost and schedule performance records for Los Angeles-class submarine overhauls. These records include:
* Engineered refueling overhaul: In 2003, the USS Albuquerque (SSN-706) was delivered one month earlier than any other shipyard delivered a refueled sub, resulting in a cost savings to the Navy of $16 million.
* Depot modernization period: The USS Alexandria (SSN-757) was delivered on budget and fewer than six weeks earlier than any other shipyard sub delivery.
* Portsmouth completed its last three depot, modernization periods in successively fewer man-days and less time.
As the U.S. Navy's submarine maintenance expert, Portsmouth is the only naval shipyard with a full spectrum of nuclear and diesel submarine maintenance experience, including reactor servicing, overhaul, modernization, testing, and emergent repair. In the last half century, the shipyard has completed 74 major overhauls on nuclear-powered fast-attack and ballistic missile submarines, more than any other shipyard. It is the lead shipyard for Los Angelesclass submarine maintenance in the Navy's "One Shipyard" transformational initiative.
Portsmouth is also the safest of the four shipyards. Reported injuries have been reduced by 50% in the past three years, resulting in fewer lost man-days and an annual reduction in compensation costs exceeding $2 million.
On 5 August, during a tour of the shipyard, secretary of the Navy Gordon England praised its efficient, lean manufacturing approach. At Naval Sea System Command's urging, Portsmouth is exporting these practices to other shipyards, demonstrating their leadership in the overhaul business. The shipyard has achieved this leadership role through a dedication to improving work processes and business practices. Secretary England noted, "It's a very competitive world, so being effective and very efficient is important. That's why I was impressed today to see all the improvements and all the effort that's going into the shipyard here. It looks to me like they are on the right path."
The Future
Future challenges can be met through adaptability and flexibility. Few people predicted the sudden downfall of the Soviet Union, the reduction of its navy, or the subsequent U.S. "peace dividend," which has reduced our own fleet from nearly 600 ships to fewer than 300.
With shipbuilding leveling off, and in some cases falling off, the Navy will be required to support future missions with fewer platforms. Surge deployments in support of fleet response plans will place more demands on fewer submarines. Consequently, the reliability and availability of our submarines will be of paramount importance.
That means innovative and efficient shipyards tike Portsmouth Naval Shipyard must continue to support our national security. Closing any government shipyard in the midst of ongoing military operations and an uncertain future, particularly the best performing shipyard in the nation's inventory, would be a mistake.
Admiral Emery resides in Kennebunkport, Maine.