Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday traveled to Bath, Maine, April 18, where he met with congressional leaders from Maine to visit General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW).
BATH, Maine (NNS) - Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday traveled to Bath, Maine, April 18, where he met with congressional leaders from Maine to visit General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW).
Gilday met with Sen. Susan Collins and other Congressional leaders and together they visited shipyard facilities, toured and met with Sailors aboard the future USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120).
"The work being done here in Maine is critically important to our Navy," said Gilday. "The entire workforce of Bath Iron Works is delivering cutting edge capabilities at a critical time for our nation."
"It was a pleasure to welcome back Adm. Gilday to Bath Iron Works, where he had the opportunity to see firsthand the tremendous skill and dedication of employees who are building the Navy's most capable ships. We also met with the commander of the future USS Carl M. Levin. It is reassuring to know that the brave men and women of the Navy will crew a ship built by the world's best shipbuilders," said Senator Collins. "Increasing the size of our Navy fleet is imperative to our national security in order to counter the rising aggression by Russia and China. As a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to work to ensure that BIW has the resources it needs to support our Navy."
During the tour they visited and received updates at the Bath Iron Works outfit facility, post-blast paint shop, and spoke with shipyard workers.
Gilday also met with BIW leaders to include the Interim President Robert Smith. They discussed the importance and challenges of the shipyard, which include material delays and connecting with a younger generation of shipyard workers.
Aboard the Arleigh-Burke guided-missile destroyer, Gilday presented an award to a Sailor and expressed his appreciation to everyone on board.
"Seeing a new warship being built is exciting, but what truly breathes life into a new ship is her crew," said Gilday. "We are the finest fighting force in the world because of our people. I am confident USS Carl M. Levin Sailors will embrace a warfighting ethos with the integrity and uncompromising dedication that truly embraces their ship's namesake, who helped ensure our nation's armed forces remained the best in the world."
The visit marked CNO's second trip to Bath Iron Works.
