The Enterprise lives on.
I'm Bryan Moore and this is Focus NNS.
We're here at the Virginia Air and Space Center
in Hampton where the Newport News Shipbuilding
documentary, "Building Integrity, Building
Ford" premiered in November as part of
U.S. National Navy Aircraft Carrier month.
We'll tell you where you can see the film.
Plus, the USS Enterprise lives on as steel
from CVN 65 is prepared to be part of the
next Enterprise (CVN 80).
And 2017 comes to a close.
We asked shipbuilders to choose the top stories
of the year.
The results are coming up.
But, first on deck, as we have previously
told you - steel from CVN 65, the first nuclear
aircraft carrier ever built will soon be part
of the next Enterprise (CVN 80).
The next step of that process is underway.
And Aaron Pritchett with our communications
division joins us now with more on the story.
Like every good book, you hope you never get
to the end.
But for the legendary Enterprise (CVN 65)
the story continues.
As the next chapter for the "Big E" reveals
that the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
built at Newport News Shipbuilding is officially
on to its next journey: to give new life and
a renewed spirit to the newest 
Enterprise (CVN 80).
It's a big deal.
You kind of take it to heart.
It's history, basically, add a little history
to a new history.
Just to finish it up like this is really a
big deal to me.
In July 2016, shipbuilders were hard at work
in Dry Dock 11, the very same dry dock that
Enterprise (CVN 65) was brought to life, defueling
her and preparing her for decommissioning.
But right next to this once mighty ship, a very small, but extremely important process
was taking place and one that would preserve
the past and help bring new life for the future.
Considering the flight deck extension itself
wouldn't allow the ship to fit into Dry Dock 11
due to the crane envelope it was a simple
decision to be able to utilize that piece of material
for the next CVN 80.
Careful calculations were made to determine
the correct amount of material that would
be needed for meltdown and of those calculations
it was up to us to be able to cut it accurately,
make sure we remove the right pieces and make
sure that we palletize it in a fashion that
would be easily able to store and retrieve.
For just over a year, the numerous palettes
of steel cut from the "Big E" have been stored
away safely and securely in our Newport News
Shipbuilding warehouse.
And in November, the time came to ship out.
So the heavy lifting began.
And so this morning we're actually removing
the material from our warehouse and putting
it on trucks to be shipped out to Pennsylvania
where the foundry there will melt it down
and be ready to install on our new carrier.
Very important, we feel very honored to be
part of this process, my team and myself.
We take a lot of pride in to making sure that
when this day came we would have the material
ready and available for ship out.
Just knowing that this material was on the
original carrier means a lot.
It's protected our country for many years.
And, now, to know that part of that history
is going to be added on to a new carrier and
just to be part of that process is an awesome
feeling.
We'll continue to follow the journey as the
past becomes part of the present and soon
to be future of the new Enterprise (CVN 80).
For Focus NNS, I'm Aaron Pritchett.
Back to you Bryan.
Alright, Aaron, thanks so much for that and
we will keep you posted on the progress.
Now, let's take a look at some other news
from around the yard.
Los Angeles-class submarine USS Helena (SSN
725) is at Newport News Shipbuilding for work
known as a Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability or DSRA.
The submarine arrived in October for the upgrades
and repairs.
Work is already well under way and the team
expects to complete the DSRA
in a five and a half month timeframe.
The Helena was built by Electric Boat and
was commissioned in 1987.
Dozens of shipbuilders and their families
attended the Integrated Digital Shipbuilding Open House in November.
Shipbuilders set up displays showcasing new
technology and how it will be used on the job.
Attendees learned everything from Augmented
Reality to digital work instructions,
laser scanning and additive manufacturing.
The Open House drives home the shipyard's
focus of "Invest and Improvement of People, Technology and Facilities."
Speaking of people in technology, shipbuilders
are testing drone technology to bring inside
the gates for the very first time.
Facilities is practicing flights at the Apprentice
School football field.
The goal is to use cameras attached to the
drones for a number of inspection jobs, which
can be more efficient and a lot safer.
The plan is to first test drone technology
in the North Yard at the JMAF.
Remember: all NNS drone purchases must go
through Plant Engineering and Security to
ensure compliance required for flying on shipyard
property and FAA regulations.
The Virginia Air and Space Center is a great
place to learn about the past, present and
future of military and space technology.
So what better place to debut the premiere
of the Newport News Shipbuilding documentary,
"Building Integrity, Building Ford"
The nearly hour-long retrospective takes us
back to 1996 when CVN 78 was just a concept
and didn't even have a name.
A special one-time showing was held to culminate
National U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier month,
which is recognized every November.
Another showing was held at the Huntington
Ingalls Industries headquarters.
Don't worry - if you missed these showings
the documentary is now available on the Newport
News Shipbuilding website, on our YouTube
channel and on Cox Cable channel 1886.
Shipbuilders can also check out a DVD copy
for free by contacting the O29 Communications division.
And speaking of movies, 1977 was the year
Star Wars came to theatres.
And it was the year 359 shipbuilders began
their careers at Newport News Shipbuilding.
They were honored on December 6th as part
of the Master Shipbuilders ceremony.
Lena Wallace with our Communications division
has the story.
It's a high honor at Newport News Shipbuilding:
earning the title of "Master Shipbuilder."
It's a great feeling, after 40 years, its
just a great feeling.
It makes you feel like you have accomplished
something in life.
I thought it was going to be like five years
or ten years and then I was going to go, but
then I just kept on going and going and going.
It's a nice responsibility, you know, responsibility
to build ships for the Navy and you're building
their home, actually.
And you want to do it right because you want
them to be safe because they are protecting
our country.
So, it gives you a sense of pride in what
you're doing.
The honor goes to shipbuilders with 40 or
more continuous years of service.
What is so truly remarkable to me is that
even after 40 or 50 or 61 years, many of you
continue to feel the call to continue working.
That is dedication like no other.
This year 359 new Master Shipbuilders joined
the ranks.
I would like to ask all of the Master Shipbuilders
here tonight to please stand for a very well-deserved
round of applause.
It's a night of recognition and fun, celebrating
four decades of hard work.
For Newport News Shipbuilding, I'm Lena Wallace.
Alright, thanks so much Lena, and the ceremony
included a video looking back at 1977.
It features some of the 359 shipbuilders who
were honored.
And includes some of what was happening back
in 1977 like the movie Star Wars.
You can see the video for yourself on the
Newport News Shipbuilding website, on our
YouTube channel and on Cox Cable channel 1886.
Well, another year comes to a close and to
say 2017 was a busy year might be an understatement.
We polled shipbuilders to find out what they
think was the biggest story of 2017 and here
are the results from number 10 right on up
to the biggest story of the year.
Number 10!
The work that we're doing now in ten years
we're going to look back and say, "How did
we ever build ships without that?"
Number 9!
I feel honored, I'm just grateful - the shipyard
has been a blessing to me and my family
and, you know, I'm just honored to be here.
Number 8!
This has been an amazing place.
It's the thought that you have made a decision
to leave all your best friends at work.
I'm done!
Number 7!
Alright, everyone count down with
us, "3, 2, 1!
Cut that steel!"
Number 6!
Officers and crew of the United States Gerald
R. Ford: Man our ship and bring her to life!
5!
We engage the employees, we listen to their
concerns, we get down on the deck plate, we
go in to the shops.
Management has to take a proactive stance,
listen to them, and help give them the resources
to make a difference.
4!
17 of my 30 years I've worked on this ship
and so it's kind of hard to say goodbye.
It's part of history, it's part of being an
American, it's part of being part of the world.
3!
The fact that we even have the capabilities
to work on three ships of this size at the
same time is amazing.
2!
Congratulations to all of the men and women
who helped build it.
This is American craftsmanship at its biggest,
at its best, at its finest.
1!
I'm extremely honored and humbled to serve
as the 20th president of Newport News Shipbuilding
and as the first woman to hold this position.
It's just good because I think that she's
looking out for our best interests.
And she encourages us, you know?
Because she's come so far and she's accomplished
a lot.
Well, there you have it, a big year in 2017
and even more to come for 2018.
Well, that's going to do it for this edition
of Focus NNS, from the Virginia Air and Space
Center in Hampton.
And don't forget the Virginia Air and Space
Center is offering discounts to Newport News
Shipbuilding employees now through early 2018.
All the details are on the Virginia Air and
Space Center website, on the NNS to Go app
and in the November 13th edition of Currents.
And we'll be back in 2018 with more Focus
NNS.
Before we leave you here's a thank you to
all the people who make Focus NNS possible.
Thanks so much for watching.
I'm Bryan Moore.
