Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) was presented the Navy’s Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC), Nov. 7, by Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy for superior performance providing shipboard damage recovery to USS George Washington (CVN 73).

George Washington was damaged from a May 22 fire in an unmanned Auxiliary Boiler Exhaust and Supply space, resulting in extensive damage to the U.S. Navy’s first forward-deployed nuclear powered carrier.

NAVSEA’s PSNS & IMF was assigned as Lead Maintenance Authority (LMA) with responsibility of coordinating all maintenance activities assigned to the recovery effort — including ship’s force, Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Newport News, associated Master Ship Repair contractors, and more than 15 Alteration Installation Teams.

Project engineering and production personnel both from PSNS & IMF and NNSY responded quickly to the repair challenge. The fire recovery effort required more than 55,000 man-days of work and cost approximately $70 million. More than 4,630 jobs were tasked to PSNS & IMF. 

Thousands of PSNS & IMF employees gathered into the command’s Shipfitter and Welding Shop in Bremerton, as McCoy pinned the MUC medal on Capt. Mark Whitney, commander, PSNS & IMF, and read the citation honoring the team’s extraordinary service to the Navy. 

“This is an incredibly awesome day for this shipyard because it is recognition of one of the reasons why we exist,” said Whitney. “We, the Shipyard and IMF team, should be incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished.

“Directly or indirectly, everyone on this team played a critical role in delivering GW back to the fleet,” said McCoy. “Each and every one of you can be proud of the fact that GW is operational and currently providing increased stability and maritime security in the Western Pacific region.”

The MUC, established in 1967 is awarded to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that has distinguished itself, under combat or non-combat conditions, by either valorous or meritorious achievement, which renders the unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service, but not sufficient to justify award of the Navy Unit Commendation.

In addition to the MUC award, 13 individuals received special recognition for specific duties pertaining to the repairs.  Project leader Dirk Close, was presented the Superior Civilian Service Award, 10 other civilian employees received Navy Meritorious Civilian Service awards, and two military team members received Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals.

PSNS & IMF, a NAVSEA field activity, is one of four public shipyards that play a major role in maintaining America’s fleet and providing wartime surge capability to keep the nation’s ships ready for combat.