Amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) successfully completed a four-day material inspection by the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) Aug. 3.

INSURV is conducted aboard all U.S. Navy ships approximately every five years and aims to ensure ships are properly equipped and prepared to conduct sustained combat operations at sea.

"INSURV was where we put the last 12 months of hard work on display," said Makin Island Commanding Officer Capt. Mark Melson. "Through a seven-month maintenance availability and an intense basic training phase, this crew has consistently shown that they hold themselves and their ship to the highest standards."

Nearly 200 inspectors from the Board of Inspection and Survey, Southwest Regional Maintenance Center and the technical community came aboard Makin Island to conduct nearly 300 material condition INSURV Inspection Guide events.

INSURV assessors conducted a comprehensive inspection of the ship. Makin Island scored above-average overall, according to the assessment report.

"Preparing for INSURV was an all-hands evolution," said Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Cushanick, the ship's INSURV coordinator. "The inspectors looked through everything with a fine-toothed comb, from firefighting equipment to crew berthing. The habitability portion is important because it's where we live. We want to create and maintain the best living and working conditions for our Sailors and Marines."

At the close of INSURV the crew had completed a schedule of events consisting of nearly 600 line items.

"INSURV was fast-paced, but it showed how one Sailor's individual space or piece of equipment affects the entire operability of the ship," said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Karim Hernandez, from Sunland Park, New Mexico. "It seemed daunting at the start, but we took it one check at a time and got the job done."

Since Makin Island's phased maintenance availability, and throughout the basic and integrated training cycles, the crew has completed every certification on time. Successfully completing INSURV is another step Makin Island Sailors have accomplished in keeping on schedule to attain full mission readiness for a regularly scheduled deployment this fall.

"I am extremely proud of how the crew performed during INSURV," said Melson. "They made a 'Herculean' effort and enforced their exacting standards to carry the ship one step closer to deployment. It's a true testament to the care and pride that Makin Island Sailors and Marines have for their ship."

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