YOKOSUKA, Japan -- The forward-deployed Areligh Burke guided-missile cruiser USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), aka ‘Big Bad John,’ passed all readiness requirements for a materiel assessment conducted by the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), May 25.
INSURV was established by Congress to ensure Navy ships are properly equipped for prompt, reliable, sustained mission readiness at sea. A successful inspection depends on an honest self-assessment by the crew, the ship’s entire chain of command, and repair facilities ashore.
INSURV inspectors examine the ship's damage control, safety, habitability, and engineering systems, as well as the ship’s overall combat capabilities to ensure deployment readiness.
“I am proud of my crew’s accomplishments and the material readiness of our ship,” said Cmdr. Alfredo Sanchez, commanding officer of McCain. “Our INSURV preparations ensure prompt and sustained combat operations at sea as we head out for our patrol.”
The crew aboard ‘Big Bad John’ had taken a steady strain approach to improve material readiness in support of the material inspection and upcoming patrol. The Sailors corrected several material discrepancies preparing the ship for the fast-paced operations common to the forward deployed naval forces.
“We started back in November of 2016 to get ‘Big Bad John’ in the best shape,” said Command Master Chief Dedrick Walker. “You can see the Sailors are excited to show her off before stepping off for our upcoming patrol.”
Months of preparation are necessary to ensure a successful INSURV, but the crew took every precaution to safeguard the complete readiness of the ship.
“Our INSURV was challenging,” said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Jerrell Dean. “But at the end of the day, we showed that ‘Big Bad John’ is a capable warship and I’m glad for the opportunity.”
McCain is attached to Destroyer Squadron 15 and forward deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.