NAVAIR Depot North Island Voyage Repair Team to the rescue

By Bill Bartkus
NAVAIR Depot North Island

CORONADO, Calif – Artisans assigned to the NAVAIR Depot North Island Voyage Repair Team sprang into action last month and tackled an unplanned and unscheduled job aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The team replaced the carrier’s No. 1 catapult.

“During a no-load catapult shot, the piston and water brake assemblies cracked and shattered rendering the catapult inoperative,” said Ernie Savage, VRT Program manager here. “The ship gave us 10 days to repair the catapult.”

According to Buddy May, deputy VRT Program manager, the team boarded the carrier the same day the ship returned to Naval Air Station North Island from local operations. “Seven team members worked 12-hour shifts, 24 hours a day and completed the job within the 10-day schedule,” May said. “Two new pistons and water breaks were completely rebuilt and installed.”

Navy officials are investigating the cause of the incident.

NAVAIR provides cost-wise readiness and dominant maritime combat power to make a great Navy and Marine Corps team better.