Navy falls behind on maintenance, deployments

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/10/navy-falls-behind-maintenance-deployments

Navy falls behind on maintenance, deployments

By Mike Hixenbaugh
The Virginian-Pilot
October 27, 2014

The Navy's recent decision to swap two scheduled aircraft carrier deployments revealed a problem plaguing the service: After years of conflict in the Middle East, its aging fleet of warships has been overtasked and under-cared for, leading to a growing maintenance backlog that threatens its ability to respond to future threats.

Of the warships that entered private and public shipyards for repairs and upgrades last year, fewer than half rejoined the fleet on time and on budget, according to the Navy's own analysis. The factors contributing to the delays and overruns are many, and although the Navy has a plan to correct the problem, digging out of the hole will likely take years.
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The root of the problem, according to Rear Adm. Richard Berkey: For years, the Navy has deferred maintenance to keep ships deployed in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, as its budget shrinks, the service is trying to catch up on all the work required for ships to reach their expected service lives, said Berkey, the admiral in charge of maintenance at Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk.

The problem was complicated last year by the across-the-board defense spending cuts demanded by sequestration.
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The Navy's public shipyards primarily work on nuclear vessels. Because of the manpower shortage, the Eisenhower will remain at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for several months longer than planned. In addition, work on eight submarines is backlogged, with delays ranging from two to nine months.

Adm. William Hilarides, head of Naval Sea Systems Command, discussed the submarine backlog during a recent defense symposium in Northern Virginia. Although the Navy is trying to hire more workers, Hilarides told the audience, there aren't enough qualified workers to meet the demands.
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The Navy's plan to get back on track is contingent upon factors outside its control. Should an overseas crisis demand additional assets, or should the Navy's budget get slashed by another round of sequestration in 2016, more ship shuffling would likely follow.