The littoral combat ship, USS Independence, was promised to reach San Diego’s homeport by Christmas time. Unfortunately, USS Independence will have a delayed arrival to San Diego for a number of reasons.
The notorious “next generation” naval ship has experienced a slew of difficulties within its testing and other physical complications. Although the new LCS program will be designed to help our naval endeavors, the littoral combat ships such as the USS Independence have experienced rust problems in the propulsion systems and complications in structural design. The millions spent on the LCS program have yet to reap the benefits of their proposed purposes.
The publications in Defense News report that the USS Independence must remain in Florida until testing is completed on mine warfare equipment. Although the ship cannot report to the home base of San Diego, it is receiving the best testing through split stationing between Florida and the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Panama City where mine experts have been based.
Another reason for the delayed arrival comes from a transfer of crews; the USS Independence will have a new crew of sailors when it reaches San Diego’s port. The smaller and faster LCS vessels are all reported to be stationed in San Diego. The USS Independence is now reported to reach the Naval Base of San Diego by March.
Last week was a huge celebration for San Diego’s accomplished naval base. Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) was so proud to accept the 2011 GreenGov Presidential Award for excellence in integrating sustainable practices and principles into daily base operations on November 1st from the Commander in Chief.
These GreenGov Presidential awards signify extraordinary achievements that work towards President Barack Obama’s Executive Order 13514 concerning leadership in economic, energy, and environmental performance abilities.
With more than 300 naval base submissions from federal agencies, Naval Base San Diego was selected to be one of the two finalists considered for the award. Commander Jeff Lengkeek, Naval Base San Diego’s Public Works officer stated, “We are truly honored to win this award. It didn’t come without hard work from our team here at Naval Base San Diego.”
Along with receiving the excellence in incorporating sustainable practices into daily base operations award, NBSD was also recognized for its intelligent shore design installation within the “building of the future” category which focuses on efficiency requirements of the Pacific Fleet. And that’s not all, NBSD has also won the Chief of Naval Operation’s Environmental Quality Award and the Secretary of the Navy’s Energy and Water Management Gold Level of Achievement for Outstanding Energy Programs Award.
Many innovation projects of NBSD have significantly reduce operational impacts on the environment. The following accomplishments can show the naval base’s commitment to making a global effort to reduce waste, trap pollutants, and provide overall energy efficiency:
o $10.8 million in energy, water, and renewable energy projects completed, avoiding more than $834,000 in costs and saving about 30 million gallons of water.
o Total water use reduction of 35.6 % from the base’s 2007 baseline.
o Total energy use reduction of 14% below the base’s 2003 baseline.
o Inspiration of the computer stand-by initiative for annual cost avoidance of $290,000 and instituting a building inspection program to improve utility usage.
o Development of the “Global Force for Green” campaign noted to decrease utility commodities consumption.
o Sponsored the excess hazardous material and waste turn-in event which diverted 42 tons of electronic waste from landfills as well as 12 tons of appliance waste.
Naval Base San Diego has and will continue to promote and inspire reductions of utility, energy, and water usage across the nation. As homeport of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet, NBSD houses 36 naval ships, 2 Coast Guard cutters, CLS platforms, and the most advanced littoral combat ship of the Navy.
