USS Bridge Gets Underway For Last Time to Conduct Inspection, Weapons Offload (many photos)

ABOARD USS BRIDGE (NNS) -- In the early hours of Feb. 24, USS Bridge (AOE 10) cast off mooring lines and began her final underway period as a U.S. Navy vessel.

The four-day underway period was needed to complete Ship’s Material Assessment and Readiness Test (SMART) and offload ammunition in preparation for Bridge’s transfer to Military Sealift Command (MSC) ownership.

SMART is MSC’s version of the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), and successful completion was required prior to Bridge transferring to MSC in June. The two inspections are very similar. In fact, they are so much alike that the SMART team is made up of many of the same fleet experts who would conduct an INSURV. The inspection began Feb. 18 while Bridge was in port, and inspectors had the daunting task of inventorying and checking all of the ship’s equipment and systems.

“The inspection covered all areas of ships operations, including engineering, damage control, communications, deck, supply, safety, medical, environmental protection, elevators, underway replenishment equipment and aviation,” said Capt. Richard V. Stockton, Bridge commanding officer. “It was very comprehensive.”

While the inspection may have started in February, the ship’s crew actually began planning for it while the ship was still deployed.

“Preparation for the SMART began mid-summer of last year,” said Stockton. “The crew prepared a comprehensive plan of action and milestones, and then executed it to perfection.”

Even though much of the inspection could be done while Bridge was in port, there were several items that required the ship to be underway. No matter how much planning and preparation go into an event like this, there are always unforeseen challenges that arise. For Bridge, the biggest challenge faced during SMART occurred right as the ship was getting underway.

“At the beginning of the underway demonstration, a problem came up that no one on board had ever seen,” said Stockton. “The port shaft would not indicate revolutions, even though it was actually turning. The engineering team meticulously troubleshot the discrepancy and replaced some parts to allow the demonstration to continue as planned. It was an anxious time, but the engineers were brilliant.”

With the repair made, Bridge continued out to sea for the final SMART inspection checks, which included damage control equipment demonstrations and a full power run.

“I must say, conducting the full power run was a great event,” said Stockton. “Going over 30 knots for an extended period of time and then demonstrating full rudder swing checks and crash backs at full power were really events to witness. The ship and crew responded magnificently.”

The SMART inspection drew to a close as Bridge moored at Naval Magazine Indian Island the next morning. During an inspection debrief, the ship was graded outstanding in all areas, and the senior SMART inspector stated, “The ship was exceptionally well prepared for the inspection. Crew preparation, orchestration of equipment checks and demonstrations, and their ability to resolve significant material issues during the inspection were extraordinary.”

“The performance of all the personnel was simply superb,” said Stockton. “I can’t say enough great things about these Sailors. To get such outstanding comments from the inspection team validates the hard work these exceptional Sailors have done.”

While at Indian Island, Bridge’s crew offloaded all ammunition in preparation for a ship’s service period following transfer to MSC. The removal of the ammunition will make it easier for MSC to make any modifications to the ship they deem necessary. Members of Bridge’s supply department and personnel from the Naval Magazine offloaded the ammunition quickly, and the ship returned to Naval Station Bremerton, Wash., Feb. 27. In recognition of the hard work before and during the inspection, the crew was given a three-day weekend.

With Bridge’s final underway period completed, and decommissioning and transfer to MSC less than four months away, it would appear to some as though there is not much left for the ship’s crew to do. To the contrary, there is still a lot of work left to be done and a very short amount of time to do it in.

“We will be maintaining the ship in pristine condition, removing the weapons systems and taking care of our Sailors as they finish the orders negotiation process,” said Stockton. “It is a huge task, but I know the Bridge team will come through. They always do.”

For more news from around the fleet, visit the Navy NewsStand at www.news.navy.mil.

031026-N-4284T-001 Western Pacific Ocean (Oct. 26, 2003) -- USS Bridge (AOE-10) steams behind USS Nimitz (CVN 68) after a Replenishment At Sea (RAS). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group and Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) are deployed to the Western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Airman Joshua K. Tyree. (RELEASED)

030814-N-2385R-003 Central Command Area of Responsibility (Aug. 14, 2003) – The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) approaches USS Bridge (AOE-10), background, to begin a vertical replenishment (VERTREP). Bridge will decommission during the next several weeks and become a part of the Military Sealift Command as the USNS Bridge. Nimitz Strike Group and Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Yesenia Rosas. (RELEASED)

031105-N-3241H-034 Naval Station Bremerton, Wash. (Nov. 5, 2003) -- Family and friends eagerly await the arrival of the Fast Combat Support Ship USS Bridge (AOE 10) as the ship pulls into Naval Station Bremerton after completing an eight-month deployment as part of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Group in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Dustin Howell. (RELEASED)

031031-N-2385R-001 Pacific Ocean (Oct. 31, 2003) -- Rear Adm. Samuel Jones Locklear, Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Five (CCDG-5) undergoes a high-line transfer to USS Bridge (AOE 10) during the ship’s Tiger Cruise. The Nimitz Carrier Strike group and Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) are deployed to the Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Yesenia Rosas. (RELEASED)

031031-N-6536T-002 Pacific Ocean (Oct.31, 2003) -- Rear Adm. Samuel Jones Locklear, Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Five (CCDG-5) undergoes a high-line transfer to USS Bridge (AOE 10) during the ship’s Tiger Cruise. The Nimitz Carrier Strike group and Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) are deployed to the Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Elizabeth Thompson. (RELEASED)

030911-N-1671M-013 Indian Ocean (Sept. 11, 2003) -- Operations Specialist 2nd Class Ignacio Prado from Williams, Calif., updates the ship's vertical plot in the Combat Information Center aboard USS Bridge (AOE 10). This is Bridge's last deployment as a United States Ship. Several months after arrival in its homeport of Bremerton, Wash., Bridge will decommission and join the Military Sealift Command, becoming USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10). Bridge is deployed with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Monica L. McLaughlin. (RELEASED)

030911-N-1671M-005 Indian Ocean (Sept. 10, 2003) -- Operations Specialist 3rd Class Zakia Miller from Philadelphia, Penn., precisely plots the course of USS Bridge (AOE 10) in the ship’s Combat Information Center. This is Bridge's last deployment as a United States Ship. Several months after arrival in its homeport of Bremerton, Wash., Bridge will decommission and join the Military Sealift Command, becoming USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10). Bridge is deployed with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Force in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Monica L. McLaughlin. (RELEASED)

030906-N-1671M-033 Indian Ocean (Sept. 6, 2003) -- The fast combat support ship USS Bridge (AOE 10) sails through the Indian Ocean. This is Bridge's last deployment as a United States Ship; upon arrival in her homeport of Bremerton, Wash., Bridge will decommission and join the Military Sealift Command, becoming USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10). Bridge is deployed with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, find and destroy Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Monica L. McLaughlin. (RELEASED)

030410-N-1974E-006 The Arabian Gulf (Apr. 10, 2003) -- The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), and fast combat support ship USS Bridge (AOE 10) participate in an underway replenishment (UNREP) while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Kristi Earl. (RELEASED)

030319-N-2385R-003 Pacific Ocean (Mar. 19, 2003) -- The fast combat support ship USS Bridge (AOE 10) underway following replenishment operations with elements of USS Nimitz battle group currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Yesenia Rosas. (RELEASED)

030319-N-2143T-013 Pacific Ocean (Mar. 19, 2003) -- A CH-46 Sea Knight assigned to the “Gunbearers” of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Eleven (HC-11) transfers supplies from the fast combat support ship USS Bridge (AOE 10) to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while the guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) follows behind during vertical replenishment (VERT REP) operations. Nimitz and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Eleven are operating in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Airman Maebel Tinoko. (RELEASED)

020528-N-5555F-003 Naval Station Bremerton, WA (May 28, 2002) -- Friends and family members gather together to greet the Sailors of the fast combat support ship USS Bridge (AOE 10), as they return from deployment. The Bridge is attached to the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Battle Group and has been conducting operating in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Martin S. Fuentes. (RELEASED)

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