Navy says amphibious fleet maintenance lags as shipyards and workforce face pressure

WASHINGTON — The Navy told House members it must improve maintenance planning and close workforce gaps to meet an 80% combat‑surge readiness target, with amphibious ships flagged as a particular problem.

Admiral Kilby told the panel that amphibious ship availabilities must be planned earlier and more rigidly, with long‑lead material procured at least 120 days before availability and ‘‘open and inspect’’ work moved forward to better scope repairs. He said diesel overhauls are being moved out of large availabilities to allow concurrent work and reduce schedule risk.

Representatives raised shipyard workforce concerns. Kilby said roughly 1,900 shipyard employees have left under the department’s deferred retirement program at the public yards and that the Navy is analyzing trades affected so it can rebalance and preserve critical skills. He also said alternative contracting strategies — including targeted single‑provider maintenance contracts used previously in high‑tempo environments — could be considered for home‑porting DDG‑1000‑class destroyers to Hawaii, but he took that question for the record.

Members visiting Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard earlier were cited as seeing improved leadership, ownership and performance there; Kilby credited local leadership and workforce improvements. Lawmakers urged protection of the shipyard workforce and faster hiring and onboarding systems to avoid gaps that delay repairs. The subcommittee requested follow‑up on workforce impacts, alternative contracting options, and details on what the Navy needs to reach the 80% goal for various ship classes.