The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) completed the final phase of the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) on Sept. 24, 2021 at Naval Station Norfolk. This congressionally mandated inspection that occurs every three years included more than 150 inspectors who conducted over 400 demonstrations along with nearly 100,000 pieces of equipment aboard the vessel.
Truman earned an overall grade of “Excellent,” one of the best aircraft carrier INSURV grades in recent years. Master Chief Electrician’s Mate Stephen Ludlam, Truman’s INSURV coordinator, said the effort was a team affair from the start, pointing out that INSURV “breaks departmental barriers down” and provides much-needed communication and a sense of urgency to overcome material deficiencies.
To prepare for this grueling inspection, maintenance assist visits proved useful in pointing out and solving issues. Those have helped find out how the systems would work correctly going into deployment, said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Engineering) 1st Class Shawn Whitford.
Truman has executed extensive modernization and repairs, trained Sailors, and deep-cleaned all spaces. “The focus on INSURV was paramount, and hard work paid off,” said Lt. Cristian Popa, Truman’s assistant INSURV coordinator.
Capt. Gavin Duff, Truman’s commanding officer, said he was extremely proud of the crew. INSURV ensures the ship is operationally ready at a maximum level for deployment, said Duff. “Our sailors saw this goal as the true focus and met the challenge as they do every day,” said Duff.
More recently, US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has defended US and coalition naval operations in the Red Sea against Houthi forces. Speaking to the Royal United Services Institute in London, Del Toro said Houthi attacks on commercial shipping represent an international threat to economic security, raising the cost of shipping and maritime insurance prices and hitting consumers at large around the world.
He also paid homage to the memories of two missing Navy SEALS, Petty Officer First Class Christopher Chambers, and Petty Officer Second Class Nathan Ingram, lost to intercept lethal Iranian aid bound for the Houthis. He assured that he will continue to honor them through further action against Iran’s malign actions across shared maritime regions.
Del Toro also held discussions with the commanders of US Africa Command and European Command during his stay in Europe, underlining the need for dealing with common maritime challenges: climate change, piracy, and illegal fishing. AUKUS security partnership is another issue he has brought into the spotlight. This would deal with the facilitation of Australia with new nuclear-powered submarines so that the strategic presence within the Indo-Pacific is duly ensured.
Under AUKUS, Virginia- and Astute-Class submarines will be forward-deployed to Australia, guaranteeing a continuous forward presence of undersea fleets. Del Toro emphasized that this is the sole way of engendering the skills needed to sustain the future nuclear-powered submarine fleet of the Royal Australian Navy.