Truman METCAL Lab Ranked #1
25 October 2021
NORFOLK, Va. -- ATLANTIC OCEAN — The Metrology and Calibration (METCAL) Laboratory aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) was recently recognized by Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) as fiscal year 2021’s number one carrier for calibration activity.
This is Truman’s second consecutive year being recognized as the number one carrier-based lab and the number two lab fleetwide.
“It’s a real testament to the METCAL team and the planning that had to take place, not just for AIMD equipment but across the ship, across all departments, in a very dynamic and challenging environment,” said Cmdr. James Bailey, Truman’s AIMD maintenance officer. “It’s very impressive.”
The METCAL lab oversees the calibration of all parts and equipment from the ship, aircrafts, engines and more. The calibration must meet a specific standard of material readiness as governed by the Type Commander.
“There are over 12,000 calibration assets onboard ranging from 6-36 month calibration cycles, just about everything onboard that deals with pressure, temperature, mechanical and electrical equipment,” said Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Rory Kelly, from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, the METCAL leading chief petty officer. “In a year, our throughput is about 550 items monthly, so approximately 6,600 items a year.”
Twenty-two personnel from AIMD, engineering, reactor and air department, maintain the lab which supports 118 work centers aboard the ship, said Kelly. Improper calibration can lead to excessive wear, damage, or even equipment failure.
“The core of our success lies in our two-pronged philosophy that we live by,” said Kelly. “Excellence and dedication to each and every customer that walks through our doors, followed by ‘Always Be Calibrating’ which is instilled in our technicians from day one checking onboard.”
The fleetwide standard is an 85 percent in material readiness. Truman consistently maintains an average of 97-98 percent in material readiness.
“It is incredibly validating and motivating to know what we do is seen and matters,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Brian Hatfield, an aviation intermediate maintenance department (AIMD) divisional work center supervisor.
Truman finished an Extended Carrier Incremental Availability period at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in April of this year, and has since undergone a series of compressed sea trials and the Board of Inspection of Survey.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, so being recognized is pretty big accomplishment,” said Hatfield. “To still be number one for carriers, and number two overall while we were in a yards period, it’s fantastic!”
Truman is operating in the Atlantic Ocean in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
For more news from Truman, visit www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn75/, www.facebook.com/cvn75, or www.twitter.com/ussharrystruman.