Ingalls shipbuilders working on George M. Neal (DDG 131) will be cooler this summer following the successful Air Conditioning Light-Off aboard the ship.Â
“One of the main reasons we light off the AC plants as early as we do is to cool the ship for our shipbuilders,” said Chad Barlow, DDG 131 Ship Program Manager. “South Mississippi summers are hot and humid. Air conditioning not only improves productivity, but it also reduces heat‑related safety occurrences. Everyone on the ship will appreciate what you accomplished.”Â
Beyond comfort and safety, the milestone plays a critical role in supporting the highly technical systems that will eventually serve the fleet.Â
“ACLO is crucial for Aegis system light-off and electronic testing,” said Chad. “The water that is cooled by the AC plants is used to control air temperature and to cool the electronic equipment installed onboard. Reaching this point positions us well for future milestones.”Â
With coordination across crafts critical, Pipe General Foreman Kevin Thornton said the team’s mindset stands out most. Â
“What made me most proud of the team was that they consistently looked for solutions and ways to continue meeting our goals,” said Kevin Thornton, Pipe General Foreman. “This isn’t easy work—it never is—but they showed up determined to get it done right.”Â
Updated tools also helped support the efforts.Â
“Our new pump helped load the plant with over 1,000 pounds of Freon in hours instead of a 24‑hour evolution,” continued Kevin. “That made it possible for us to load Freon and make start-up the same day.”Â
Different crafts contributed to the success, with many newer team members rising to the challenge. Â
“A lot was learned under pressure and pressure makes diamonds,” said Kevin. “I saw that change in a lot of the newer faces on this team as they gained more understanding about the whole process.”Â
With ACLO now checked off the list, teams will continue preparing the remaining AC plants and supporting equipment as the ship moves toward its next major events.Â
