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The Pantex Fire Department Rescue Team, along with Y-12 firefighter John Fife, who was visiting Pantex, recently participated in a Confined Space Training event in Panhandle. Members of the rescue team are trained in five disciplines—confined spaces, heavy vehicles, structures, rope and trench rescue.

Pantex Fire Department Rescue Team members participate in a confined space training event in Panhandle, Texas.

“All of our team is highly trained,” said Lee Foster, Pantex Fire Department captain. “They have all been to specialized school throughout the tri-state area and are extremely skilled when it comes to these difficult rescue scenarios.”

The rescue team, made up of 23 members, has to train in the five disciplines annually. “We have to train in each area a minimum of eight hours each year,” Foster said. All of that training has been used as the team has been called upon for rescues in the Palo Duro Canyon area as well as other surrounding areas.

Since 2002, Pantexans have sent more than 9,000 care boxes to U.S. military stationed overseas and are continuing the tradition—thanks to Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC.

Packing day volunteers pose before heading to the post office with the boxes they prepared.

During the recent Pantex Day of Volunteering, Pantexans and their friends and family members teamed up with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 430 to pack 28 care boxes. CNS contributed $2,000 to cover the shipping.

“Packing these boxes requires a lot of volunteers,” explained Verlene Dickson, retired U.S. Army member and director of the Veterans Resource Center in Amarillo. “There’s a lot that goes in to collecting the items that are donated, organizing the volunteers during a packing day and then getting these boxes shipped.”

Kimbel Leffew, a Pantexan who knows first-hand the importance of care boxes, offered to lead the team of volunteers during packing day.

“All of my children are or were in the military,” said Leffew. “I know how meaningful packages from home were to them, especially when some of the military receive absolutely nothing.”

In total, the volunteer team packed and shipped 28 boxes for 14 individuals in seven different United Service Organizations (USOs). Each recipient received two care boxes: one full of snacks such as chips, jerky, peanuts and even Girl Scout cookies; and the other loaded with an assortment of hygiene products such as deodorant, shampoo, lotion and hand sanitizer.

“When they open those boxes, they don’t just see the snacks, they see the love that is put behind these boxes, and that matters more to them than the actual contents of the box,” said Luan Martin, packing day facilitator and retired Pantexan. “It’s a piece of America.”

This spring, more than 750 Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC employees participated in the Active for Life℠ challenge, an 8‑week program, sponsored by the American Cancer Society®, that encouraged employees to be more mindful of healthy behaviors on a daily basis. Participants formed 57 teams, each led by a team captain who helped provide motivation and reminders to log points on the program’s website.

Y-12 Site Manager Bill Tindal (second left) and Karen Lacy (right), CNS wellness coordinator and Active for Life program co-director, congratulate members of CNS’s winning Active for Life challenge team.

This year marked the third time Y-12 participated in the Active for Life challenge and the second time Pantex participated. It was the first time for the sites to compete as OneTeam against six other U.S. Department of Energy sites. Linda Bauer, vice president for Mission Assurance, which includes Environment, Safety and Health, participated on the CNS Executive Leadership Team led by Y-12 Site Manager Bill Tindal.

“Active for Life encourages healthy habits and fitness through friendly competition among colleagues across DOE facilities, while enhancing teambuilding and collaboration,” Bauer said. “I’m a firm believer that the healthier we are, the happier we are on—and off—the job.”

Participants received one point for each minute they were active each day, as well as points for servings of fruits and vegetables and glasses of water. Points were logged on the Active for Life website, which allowed users to track nutrition intake and weight maintenance goals. LiveWise added weekly bonus challenges for the CNS teams to provide ways to earn extra points, as well as fun opportunities to build team spirit and engagement. These challenges included on-site pushup and plank competitions, weekly water and vegetable intake goals, and participation in community fitness events. More than 80 Y-12 employees participated in this year’s Secret City 5K for Haiti, which rewarded registrants with 25 bonus points.

The top team, Team OSHA, was led by captain Jan Wuest of Training and Development, who logged the most individual activity points throughout the program. An avid hiker, Wuest, along with teammates Becky Ownby and Lee Lutner, averaged almost 800 minutes of physical activity per week during the 8-week campaign. Wuest credits the success to “working together as a team and a support system.”

“There was no ‘captain.’ In this team, we were equal partners, and we encouraged each other to do the best we can,” Wuest said.

In addition to the CNS team, other competitors were: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Nevada National Security Site, Ames Laboratory, National Renewable Energy and Sandia National Laboratories (New Mexico and California).

“Communication between the sites helps foster a wellness coalition in the DOE complex, where we can learn from each other’s best practices to improve employees’ health,” said Karen Lacey, CNS wellness coordinator and Active for Life program co‑director.

CNS came in sixth place; while a rank decrease from last year’s standings, the overall activity scores were higher. CNS participants averaged 47 minutes of activity daily, far outpacing statistics that state 60 percent of American adults fall short of meeting physical activity recommendations of 30 minutes most days.

Sherry Philyaw, Pantex Safety Culture advocate and CNS Active for Life program co-director said a few weather challenges did not dissuade participants. “Active for Life is a fantastic way to establish healthy habits and get out and enjoy the community, your family and friends, and the weather.”

Groundbreaking ceremony for 343,000 square foot facility

AMARILLO, Texas – Representatives from Congress, the Department of Energy, and other distinguished national, state and local leaders joined leaders from Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC—the managing and operating contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Pantex Plant—for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction for the new Administrative Support Complex (ASC).

The ASC is designed to provide a modern administrative and support facility for the weapons mission at Pantex and relocate employees from aging facilities that have proved functionally and technologically challenging.

“NNSA’s mission to maintain the safety, security, and effectiveness of the nuclear weapons stockpile is critical to America’s security. The incredibly dedicated, talented and hardworking workforce at Pantex deserve a safe, functional, and adaptive workspace to carry out that mission,” said Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz (Ret.), Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator.

“I am pleased to join Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and Rep. Mac Thornberry in celebrating today’s milestone with the Pantex community.”

“This new facility is a significant investment in the future of the Pantex facility and its critical national security mission,“ said CNS Deputy Enterprise Manager, Michelle Reichert. “This milestone underscores our commitment to address the Pantex Plant’s aging infrastructure challenges, and to invest in the site to position it for the future.”

The 343,000 square foot state of the art building will provide an administrative and support facility for the nuclear security mission at Pantex and relocate employees from numerous aging facilities that are costly to operate and do not meet modern standards. Along with office space for nearly one-third of Pantex employees, the facility will be equipped with a 390-seat auditorium, conference center, cafeteria, visitor's center, and medical and employee health and fitness facilities.

“The ASC will allow us to consolidate administrative functions from over 35 legacy facilities at the Pantex site into one modern, energy efficient facility. This will allow us to take the resources that we’ve being dedicating to those older facilities and concentrate them in facilities for the enduring mission we have at Pantex,” added Reichert.

Construction is scheduled to take approximately two years with more than 2,000 craftsmen working on the 3-story complex.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC scientists and engineers recently treated Texas Panhandle students to an ooey, gooey, good time at Window on a Wider World’s WOWW Day in Amarillo.

When Stephanie Steelman, a polymer chemist at the Pantex Plant, was asked to provide an interactive learning station at the event, she jumped at the chance to make slime with about 500 children.

“Days like that re-energize me because my work is so serious,” said Steelman. “I really enjoy seeing the children’s faces light up.”

She recruited scientists Matthew Reyes and Anthony Cortese and engineer Courtney Waddell to help with the lime-green learning demonstration. The four Pantexans and Allison Roberts, public affairs specialist and WOWW board member, helped the students make polymer slime. They used the slime to teach the kindergarten through fifth-grade students about the phases of matter.

Other community organizations hosted learning stations focused on history, art and music. One station even used tennis to teach math.

Steelman says science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, educational outreach is vital because it introduces students to the fields with fun, hands-on activities. “We have to give children credit that they can learn science at any age. Activities like this capture their attention and encourage them to become the next generation of scientists and engineers,” she said.

CNS supports Window on a Wider World activities like WOWW Day and the fall WOWW Science Collaboratives as part of its commitment to STEM education. WOWW is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the curriculum of Texas Panhandle students through the arts, science and cultural experiences. For more information about WOWW, visit their website.

More than 120 Pantex employees recently devoted their Friday to the Pantex Day of Volunteering to do something for the greater good of the Texas Panhandle. Of those 120+ employee volunteers, 24 employees stepped up as a team captain and initiated a call to action for co-workers, family and friends to join their teams.

Volunteers cleared and revamped flower beds at The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center.

Projects ranged from building wheelchair ramps and duck bunks (housing for ducks in a local food bank’s garden) to cooking for families in need, packing care boxes for our military overseas, caring for animals, gardening, painting and even cleaning up city parks.

“There are several organizations that are in need in the Amarillo area,” said Rebecca Heinen, team captain for a project to clean up hiking trails at Wildcat Bluff Nature Center. “Often, these agencies don’t need much other than the manpower to complete a task.”

Visit the Pantex Facebook page to view more photos and watch a video from the Pantex Day of Volunteering.

Lightning mapping array system predicts electrical discharges

AMARILLO, Texas – Given the prevalence of lightning in the Texas Panhandle and the criticality of the work performed at the Pantex Plant, Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC recently installed a new lightning mapping array (LMA) system designed to detect pre-strike electrical activity. The eight new sensors around the Plant will improve safety and stability in critical operational areas, in addition to providing redundancy for the current system.

“We are looking forward to seeing the benefits that this system may provide through both improved safety and operations at Pantex,” added NNSA Production Office Electrical System Engineer Scott Dolezal.

Pantex plant shift superintendents use the current Lightning Location and Protection System to issue lightning protective action warnings to employees. With employee safety being a top priority, these protective actions sometimes can pause weather-dependent operations until the lighting warnings are lifted. The new LMA sensors detect small electrical discharges within a cloud and generate a map showing frequency and location. They also dissect a storm to determine its height and intensity.

“Our current system only detects cloud-to-ground strikes,” said David Hattz, with the Pantex Electromagnetics Group. “The LMA system detects the first inner-cloud strikes allowing us to notify our employees up to an hour sooner.”

In addition to the sensor installations, Pantex engineers are developing a software package to study lightning and atmospheric data. Texas Tech University is partnering with the Plant by sharing the data from its 12 LMA sensors. Data collected from the Pantex and Texas Tech systems will allow Pantex to measure the amount of operations time impacted by lighting warnings.

“The research element of this project is an important study of how well lightning can be predicted using the LMA system sensors, combined with other existing Pantex sensors and meteorological data. The software we are developing will generate metrics to show how much forewarning we received prior to a strike, and how much time we were under lightning protective actions that never resulted in a strike,” said Hattz.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

Pantex and Y-12 received numerous Defense Programs Awards of Excellence. The award program highlights those who have made a significant difference in improving any phase of the nuclear weapons life-cycle process. The Extrudable Pressing Team was one award winner.

Some jobs at CNS clearly define how they help protect global security. With organization names like High Explosives Manufacturing, High Explosives Facility Management, Projects, and Tooling & Tester Design, it’s pretty evident. Recently, this specialized team from Pantex solved issues surrounding the need to manufacture extrudable explosive components for ongoing Joint Test Assembly activities and future Life Extension Program deliverables and was recognized with a Defense Programs Award.

Team member Lennon Mings said, “The scope and the purpose of the project are in direct support of aiding the front line of global security, so that motivation initiated the project. In fact, the project plays a pivotal role in ensuring global security.”

Production of war reserve extrudable explosive components had not been performed at Pantex for decades. Much of the tooling was unreliable after many years of limited use, and the designated facility was not up to operational standards.

Mings said, “I think the greatest accomplishment of the team was the design and implementation of a piece of equipment that is instrumental in the success of Pantex and future work. The project required the synergy of multiple disciplines (project management, explosive engineers, tooling engineers, facility management and engineering technicians). As a result, based on demonstrated work, we have developed a process that is capable of producing products better than ever before.”

Project manager Tim Harris said, “Our team initiated action to upgrade the facility, install a new extruder, develop new tooling, modernize technical operating procedures and support documents, train technicians to perform operations, update process hazards analysis review and update and qualify the overall process through readiness activities.”

Mings said, “Tim ensured the team had the right members; he was the motor that moved the project along.”

“This project was a major highlight in my career at Pantex,” Harris said. “The team made the project a success.”

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC purchased more than $210 million in goods and services from small businesses during the first nine months of fiscal year 2016, including more than $149 million at the Y-12 National Security Complex and $61 million at the Pantex Plant. Small business contracting at Y-12 includes more than $10 million in small business obligations for work on the Uranium Processing Facility project, which is managed by Bechtel National, Inc., through a subcontract with CNS.

In recognition of the significant role small businesses play in the national economy—as well as the economies in East Tennessee and the Texas Panhandle—CNS uses small businesses in a variety of roles, from technical and administrative support to staff augmentation and construction support and strives to provide the maximum possible contracting opportunities to small businesses in a host of categories recognized by the Small Business Administration. Those categories include: 8(a), woman-owned, Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), veteran-owned, service disabled veteran-owned small businesses, small and small disadvantaged businesses.

“Small businesses represent the backbone of our economy and the backbone of our success at CNS,” CNS Deputy Enterprise Manager Michelle Reichert said. “They’re important to getting our mission done and for helping us be the best stewards of taxpayer dollars we can be.”

CNS will host its annual small business awards ceremonies at Pantex and Y-12 in the fall. These awards honor local small businesses based on their commitment to CNS’ core values of integrity, trust, respect, teamwork and excellence, as well its four imperatives—safety, security, zero defects and delivering as promised.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Ellen Boatner
Public Affairs
Office (865) 241-4937
boatnerea@y12.doe.gov

Funds distributed though Amarillo Area Foundation

AMARILLO- Charitable organizations from across the Texas Panhandle are invited to apply for grants from the Pantex Community Investment Fund established by Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS), managing and operating contractor of the Pantex Plant.

CNS established the fund in January through the Amarillo Area Foundation, as part of its commitment to Amarillo and surrounding communities. In April, CNS awarded grants totaling more than $170,000 to 19 local nonprofits.

A Pantex Community Investment Advisory Committee comprised of CNS employees will entertain proposals from nonprofit and charitable institutions throughout the 26 northernmost counties in the Texas Panhandle (individuals and non-charitable organizations are not eligible). Grant amounts will range from $2,500 to $10,000. The application process will be competitive. Organizations who fit the eligibility requirements and whose work is in line with the priorities are encouraged to apply. Only one application per organization will be accepted.

The priorities for funding are:

• Basic Needs (Food, Clothing, and Shelter)
• Children, Youth, and Family
• Community Development
• Education
• Health and Wellness

The advisory committee will give priority to proposals from organizations located and operating in the 12 contiguous counties surrounding the Pantex Plant, which includes Armstrong, Carson, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hall, Hutchinson, Moore, Oldham, Potter, Randall and Swisher.

Applications are available online at aaf.spectrumportal.net and are due August 15, 2016, by noon. See www.amarilloareafoundation.org/application-2016 for instructions on how to register in the Spectrum portal. If you have any questions about eligibility or the grant process, contact Kathie Grant, Grants Administrator, at 806.376.4521 or kathie@aaf-hf.org. If you have any questions about priorities, contact Jessica Tudyk, Grants Manager, at 806.376.4521 or jessica@aaf-hf.org.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Public Affairs
Office (806) 573.0490
Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov