Newport News Shipbuilding’s Pipe Shops celebrated 18 “Top Gun” welders for quality work on welds that require inspection by X-ray testing in 2022.

“We consistently have outstanding results, and the folks in this room are the best of the best,” Superintendent Rob Lane said during a lunchtime recognition ceremony last week. This is the first year the recognition event has been held since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, nearly 2,000 X-ray joints were welded in the pipe shops, with rejection rates of .2% for nuclear joints and 1.1% for non-nuclear joints. The team achieved those impressive statistics even with a number of new welders coming on board, said General Foreman Matt O’Quinn.

“That’s huge,” he said. “We’re growing our bench strength, putting new people on X-ray, and we’re still performing to a high standard.”

Before presenting each honoree with a “Top Gun” shirt, acting General Foreman Ryan Leroux thanked the welders for their commitment to quality.

“We owe a lot of our success to most of you in the room who have mentored and pulled some of the newer welders along,” he said. “That has allowed us to continue delivering a quality product.”

Richard Sewalish (X18) is on loan to the pipe shops and was among the shipbuilders honored as “Top Gun” welders. He said he appreciated the recognition.

“Every welder takes pride in every weld they do,” he said. “I’m prior military so I understand the importance of what we do.”