By Danna Eddy, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Public Affairs Officer
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD, Maine - A 2001 Hornell High School graduate and native of Delanson, New York, is serving at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine, as part of the largest mobilization of reservists in Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) history. The mobilization is tied directly to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chief Petty Officer Michael Foster is one of the reserve sailors deployed to the Navy’s four public shipyards as part of the Surge Maintenance (SurgeMain) program. Established in 2005 to augment the Navy’s organic civilian shipyard workforce in times of need, SurgeMain has 2,200 enlisted reserve sailors and 240 reserve officers across 75 units.
“I feel that my skills and work ethic have helped to make a huge impact in regaining the time that was lost while the nation faced the pandemic,” Foster said.
Between mid-March and late June, up to 25 percent of the naval shipyards’ production workforce had been on administrative leave due to being at high risk for severe complications tied to the COVID-19 virus. As a result, the four shipyards collectively experienced schedule impacts for most of the ships and submarines undergoing maintenance. This delayed maintenance work could result in delays to ship and submarine maintenance which could cause disruptions to the Navy’s deployment schedules and require ships and sailors to remain forward-deployed for longer periods of time.
NAVSEA, the largest command within the Navy, oversees the construction, delivery and maintenance of all the Navy’s commissioned ships and operates four naval shipyards - Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, VA, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, WA, and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Honolulu, HI. Workers at each of these shipyards perform a vital role in national defense by performing maintenance on ships, submarines and aircraft carriers required for combat-ready fleet forces.
“The four naval shipyards are critical to providing deployable, combat-ready warships for our Sailors and Marines,” said NAVSEA’s Commander Vice Adm. Bill Galinis. “Augmenting our organic civilian workforce with SurgeMain Reservists allows us to address the maintenance challenges generated by the pandemic so we can return ships back to the Fleet.”
Foster is currently assigned to the overhaul of a submarine where is responsible for working with the outside machine shop.
“I am repairing and testing the ship’s mast and antenna," Foster said.
"The best part of my job is getting to work hand-in-hand with the civilians that keep our great Navy running, and knowing that everything we do will keep our sailors safe at sea," Foster added.
According to Foster, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Delanson.
“I learned hard work and dedication," Foster said. "My family and friends back home have always been a hard-working group of people that are proud of the work they do.”
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Foster, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
"While it is hard to be away from my family, I know that the impact I am making here will affect the fighting force of the Navy for years to come,” Foster added. "This is a sacrifice that my family and I have made for our future.”
