Green Bay Native supports U.S. Navy shipyard surge as part of COVID-19 response

By Danna Eddy, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Public Affairs Officer

PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD, Maine - A 2011 East De Pere High School graduate and native of Green Bay, Wisconsin, is serving at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard 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.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Huxford 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. 

“Being called up is a huge honor," Huxford said. "This is what I signed up for and I'm ready to serve."

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.”

Huxford is a machinist’s mate responsible for ball valve maintenance and repair. Ball valves are used in ship piping systems and control the flow of liquid through the pipe.

“I enjoy learning something new each day and growing with those around me all while improving the strength of the shipyard," Huxford said.

According to Huxford, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Green Bay.

“I'm from a small town and I think it keeps me humble," Huxford added. "I respect the opinions of those around me.”

As a member of the U.S. Navy, Huxford, 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.