In this follow-up episode, we continue our conversation with 2nd shift General Manufacturing director Chris Helton. Having spent more than 30 years at Ingalls, Chris has played a role in building many ships for the Navy and Coast Guard, several of which are in service today.
Our Ingalls Ships in Action campaign details the ships we have that are currently serving the U.S. military. As part of that series, we put out a story about USS Porter (DDG 78). Chris responded with his own inspiring experience working on that ship, underscoring its significance to him.
“I have been working on almost every destroyer that we have had since DDG 52, the [USS] Barry. But [USS Porter] was my first time in Ship's Management,” said Chris. “I was going to help bring that ship to life. It was just such a memorable moment when I crossed that gangway and I still think about it today.”
Ingalls shipbuilders build freedom and every shipbuilder starts somewhere. For new shipbuilders, recognizing that there is so much to learn about their craft and seeking the help of more experienced shipbuilders is crucial.
“Dedicate yourself to listening to those and seeking those out who are trying to help you because we all need that. I still have it today,” said Chris. “If there's one piece of advice I can give you, learn every day. Take every opportunity to grow and network with the people that are here that will teach you so much about the business and about what we build.”
It’s not just about knowing a craft; it’s also realizing the significance of what we do.
“The ships we build… for the next 30 or 40 years, they will be taking our brothers, our sisters and our children into harm's way, but it will give them the tools to be able to defend themselves, to keep America safe and to bring them back home,” said Chris. “You gotta keep that thought in your head. You're not just welding steel, you are building a warship.”
Click the video above to hear more of Chris’ story.
Keep up with Ingalls Ships in Action on the IngallsConnect App, HII’s Facebook page, and Ingalls President Kari Wilkinson’s Facebook page.
To tell us about your experience working on one of the Ingalls Ships in Action, email us at IngallsConnect@hii-ingalls.com.