USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), like any aircraft carrier, is a gigantic machine composed of countless moving parts, and those parts sometimes need to be repaired or replaced. That is where the Sailors of GHWB's machine shop come in.

The machine shop, located directly beneath GHWB's aft mess deck,
is manned by machinery repairmen, damage controlmen, and hull
maintenance technicians.

"There's always something going on here," said Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Joann Texin. "Whether it's welding, maintenance - you name it."

The machine shop receives orders from every division and every part of the ship, often on a daily basis.

"I weld and I fix parts," said Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Belen Mendoza. "Whether it's small pieces of equipment or bulkheads, we do it. I fix watertight doors all the time."

Mendoza stressed the necessity of an embarked team of repair
mechanics to keep GHWB operational and ready to fight.

"We do everything," said Mendoza. "It's basically the same few jobs over and over, keeping things running. Maintenance is like taxes and cockroaches: it's forever."

Because of the importance of the work to the ability to complete the mission, engineers in the machinery room take pride in their work. One Sailor sees it as the highest honor to serve his shipmates and countrymen.

"We manufacture parts for American Sailors, because that's what we are and that's who we care about," said Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Anferny Bua. "We plan out our jobs 24 hours prior, and we read over the blueprints and sketches for what parts fit which machines, and how to properly fix what's broken."

Bua added he and his fellow engineers have to remain flexible to suit whatever specific needs a problem may have.

"Sometimes we make parts per specs," said Bua. "Sometimes we have
to make them according to the need. One time we had a part that broke clean in half, and we had to figure out a way to fabricate a replacement for the broken half."

Bua also said he and his Sailors also strive to continually raise standards and stay ahead of the curve.

"We have a lot of different parts come through this shop," said Bua. "Everything from aircraft parts to hatch pins. We do it all. We strive to make better than what we're given."

Because of the passion and dedication of Sailors like those who work in the machinery repair shop, GHWB can stay vigilant on watch and take the fight to the enemy when duty calls.

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