The Navy’s Nimitz-class USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) aircraft carrier completed sea trials five days early, the Navy said Monday.
The sea trials were the last part of the ship’s planned incremental availability (PIA), a period when the ship undergoes repairs and upgrades. This PIA had CVN-74 receive improved operational systems, upgraded navigation systems, and refurbished crew berthing spaces.
The trials are used to evaluate ship systems and crew for operational readiness after the maintenance period is finished. The Navy earlier noted this PIA had the largest-ever planned work package to be completed in a six-month availability (Defense Daily, Aug. 11). The work package was completed three days ahead of schedule before the sea trials began.
During the sea trials the CVN-74’s sailors exercised the combat systems, damage control equipment, flight deck, and engineering systems, among others.
“The success of our sea trials was a testament to the work our crew and the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) team put into our availability,” said Capt. Greg Huffman, commanding officer of the Stennis, said in a statement.
The PSNS & IMF is located in Bremerton, Wash. Following sea trials the Stennis returned to Bremerton to conduct training and evolutions in preparation to return to operations at sea.
Huntington Ingalls Industries [HII] built the Stennis.