USS Tenness (SSBN 734) in the dry dock. Photos by Diane Tickell

USS Tennessee, Trident Refit Facility team up
Commands team up for first Extended Maintenance Period at Kings Bay

The first Extended Maintenance Period was recently completed aboard USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) at Trident Refit Facility.

The undertaking required coordinated resources from TRF, USS Tennessee ships force, Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic, Submarine Group 10, Submarine Squadron 20, Submarine Atlantic Fleet, SupShip Jacksonville, Strategic Systems Program Office, Electric Boat Corporation, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and a local contractor.

The EMP was a new concept born out of the necessity to have TRF perform the duties of Naval Supervising Authority. Traditionally, extended maintenance periods are conducted by naval shipyards and funded accordingly. USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) NSA duties were performed by PSNSY prior to the ship's departure to the West Coast. When it was time to perform Tennessee's EMP, shipyards across the fleet were already tasked beyond their capacity, so TRF was selected as the NSA.

TRF employees worked more than 1,800 jobs while expending more than 250,000 man-hours and $2 million in material charges during the EMP. The work force was required to work more than 57,000 hours of overtime specifically targeted to the EMP while simultaneously supporting all other strategic units assigned.

USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) spent three of the six months required for the Extended Maintenance Period (EMP) in the dry dock. Completion of the EMP required more than 250,000 man-hours.

''The ship is in excellent material condition and operated superbly during extremely challenging evolutions,'' said Cmdr. John Stewart, USS Tennessee (SSBN 734)(G) commanding officer, stated a letter of appreciation upon completion of post-EMP sea trials. ''This feat could not have been accomplished had it not been for the outstanding craftsmanship of those individuals involved in the first-ever Trident Refit Facility Extended Maintenance Period. Your efforts have added 10 years to the ship's life and significantly contributed to Tennessee's ability to support our nation's defense.

''On behalf of team Tennessee, I want to pass on my grateful appreciation for a job well done. Bravo Zulu.''