Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center's (MARMC) Production Department performed emergent repairs aboard USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) during Liberty Fleet HarborFest in Boston, July 4.

On short notice, MARMC repair specialists completed maintenance to three deballast air compressors in just 36 hours.

"When you consider all of the logistics that went into making this emergent repair a success, you gain a new appreciation for all the parties involved," said MARMC Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Zone Manager Jorge Lopez.

Mesa Verde was pierside at Naval Station Norfolk the week prior to the 4th of July holiday weekend when repairs began. Due to a very compressed schedule and the need for the ship's attendance in Boston for Liberty Fleet HarborFest, the MARMC team had to get creative to ensure the ship's readiness.

"We knew the schedule was very aggressive to start, so we decided after talking to our leadership that we would put together a fly-away team to meet the ship in Boston and complete the repairs up there," said Lopez.

The team was made up of senior enlisted specialists from multiple shops in MARMC's Production Department who had extensive working knowledge with these types of repairs. The group was comprised of riggers, machinery repairmen, quality assurance specialists, hull technicians and tag-out shop representatives.

"This team was composed of guys who were involved with the repair while the ship was here in Norfolk," said MARMC Production Machine Division Officer Chief Warrant Officer 3 William Gregory. "What made this trip so special is that this group volunteered to forgo their holiday weekend to help get one of our ships [get] back up to full operation capability, so that after [Liberty Fleet HarborFest] she could go to sea fully certified."

The team arrived to Boston right as the ship was pulling in and immediately began work on the deballast air compressors.

"Ship's Force did a great job with removing all interferences from around the work site," said Gregory. "We gave them an overall timeline for the total scope of work and they really focused on the things they could do to reduce that total number."

MARMC's team started work on replacing and aligning three deballast air compressors July 1 at 10 a.m. The ship completed satisfactory operational test of three new compressors the next evening at 11 p.m. Normally a repair of this scope would take at least three days, but MARMC made this repair in just 1 1/2 days.

"I'm very proud of the work that was accomplished by our team," said Engine and Machine Division Assistant Project Superintendent West King. "The ship provided lodging, laundry, and meal services to my guys and that was a big help when you consider the timing of it being [Liberty Fleet HarborFest]."

MARMC's ability to be flexible to meet the fleet's needs was reflected in a "Bravo Zulu" from Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic Rear Adm. Christopher Grady.

In his letter he stated, "I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for your outstanding service to the fleet and your recent efforts on USS Mesa Verde. Specifically, I would like to recognize MARMC Production and Engineering fly-away teams. Your dedication and readiness to travel to Boston, Massachusetts, during the 4th of July weekend to support repairs to Mesa Verde's deballast air compressors was superb. Your pride and professionalism was clearly evident. USS Mesa Verde was able to meet their operational commitment on time with maximum redundancy. Your slogan of 'We Fix Ships' is not just words on the back of ball caps, but it is apparent it's your command's culture."

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