Vice Admiral James Kilby, Deputy Commander U.S. Fleet Forces Command
On September 19th, 2023, Vice Adm. James Kilby, Deputy Commander, US Fleet Forces Command, addressed the VSRA members during their General Membership Luncheon. Expressing gratitude for the organization's valuable contributions, Kilby underscored the significance of the training programs that were made available through the association. Delving into his multifaceted roles within the United States Navy, he emphasized the trust placed in him by Admiral Daryl Caudle, owing to his three-star level and his capacity to focus on the meticulous maintenance of aircraft and ships. Kilby acknowledged key individuals who had aided him throughout his career, including Perry Bingham, Dave Thomas, and Larry Rummel.
In the beginning of his speech, Kilby highlighted three critical developments. First, he recognized the concerted efforts to address the 00960 Integrated Master Schedule Reporting Requirements, commending the VSRA's success in enhancing reporting accuracy. Second, he stressed the importance of the ongoing Hot Work initiatives. Lastly, he emphasized the significance of the AIT working group and their progress toward meeting deadlines.
Touching on the state of the ship repair industry, Kilby emphasized the Navy's goal of maintaining 75 mission-capable ships and reported positive trends in the completion rates of Continued Maintenance Availability (CMAV), although challenges such as delayed starts and issues with on-time delivery persisted. He expressed a willingness to collaborate to find effective solutions.
Kilby drew attention to a streamlined growth management RCC, advocating for an increase in nationwide availabilities. Additionally, he addressed concerns about burning barges, stressing the need for better management and care for vessels, citing an incident involving APL 29 as a significant motivation for improvement. He requested support from attendees to help identify and resolve industry-related challenges.
Considering recent incidents, Kilby underscored the critical importance of fire safety, labeling any oversight in this area as "inexcusable," and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to tackle this pressing issue.
Concluding his speech, Kilby highlighted the Large Scale Exercise (LSE) at Fleet Forces, discussing the measures being taken to prepare for potential threats, particularly from formidable nuclear adversaries like China and Russia. He reassured the audience of his commitment to closely monitor the industry's health in Hampton Roads, emphasizing the resilience of its members as a crucial factor.
During the interactive session, Kilby addressed concerns about the potential changes in the ship repair industry in the event of a conflict, stressing the need to focus on the current global landscape while acknowledging the necessity for preparedness. He assured attendees that he would work toward fostering greater synergy and engagement between the government, military, and industry.
Addressing the issue of the shortage of skilled laborers, Kilby admitted that he didn't possess an immediate solution but acknowledged the severity of the problem. He directed the conversation to the VSRA President, who highlighted ongoing efforts within the association to tackle this challenge, encouraging active participation from all members.
Responding to inquiries about wage escalation and budget concerns, Kilby cited a quote from the late Rear Adm. Wayne Meyer, “it costs what it costs,” emphasizing the need to pay the industry what it deserves for the work demanded of it. He acknowledged the complexities involved in balancing budgets with adequate compensation.
Wrapping up the session, Kilby assured attendees that collaborating with TYCOMs for data wouldn't pose an issue, signaling his commitment to further engagement. He expressed gratitude to the audience, and as a gesture of appreciation, the VSRA donated to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society in honor of Kilby's address
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