News

CNS hosted its inaugural Fellows Colloquium March 28 at Y 12, and CNS President and CEO Morgan Smith called it a historic day. The forum was established to highlight CNS’s vital technical work and to honor its first four fellows for their vast technical knowledge and their abilities to mentor others.

“This is our declaration that we are an organization that does work of tremendous scientific and technical significance for our nation, and this work requires the very best. It’s our most senior scientific and technical rank or title and connotes that we are engaged in activities that merit this level of personnel — equal to what occurs elsewhere in high technology industries,” said Smith.

Glenn Pfennigwerth (Uranium Fellow), Alan Moore (Metallurgy), Vincent Lamberti (Y 12 Surveillance), and Lorelei Woods (Pantex Surveillance) were recognized as our strategic advisors and top mentors and were pinned by Smith. With a combined 143 years of experience, these fellows set the bar high. Each fellow presented the state of their area of expertise, and 18 other Pantex and Y 12 technical experts presented posters covering diverse areas of expertise — from explosives and advanced manufacturing to nonproliferation and lithium.

“The colloquium was vitally important to showcase the great technical work we do and to honor the individuals who are leading us into the future,” said Ashley Stowe, CNS Fellows program manager. “The excitement for staff at Pantex and Y 12 encourages me as we move forward and continue to grow an excellent technical staff. This is just the beginning, however; we are already looking forward to hosting the 2019 colloquium at Pantex.”

The Leadership Amarillo Class of 2017/2018 recently visited Pantex. After a history overview, the group visited a weapon display and a security bearcat vehicle display. The community leaders also experienced an explosive demonstration at the firing site.

There is no Planet B, so Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC focuses on recycling everything from regular office paper to electronic equipment and scrap metal. In Fiscal Year 2017, employees at Pantex and Y-12 recycled more than 4.6 million pounds of materials, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship.

Pantex Plant’s Emergency Management Department will conduct a site-wide Full-Participation Emergency Exercise on April 17. You may observe response personnel simulating response activities as part of the exercise. Do not be alarmed if you see some of this activity. Due to the scenario, a portion of Pantex may close during parts of the exercise. Please avoid the exercise areas as they are announced. For this exercise, plant personnel will be expected to take the announced protective actions. This is a large-scale exercise, so please limit calls to the OC. Do not call the OC to ask if you are participating.

Emergency exercises test the ability of emergency personnel to respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations and ensure the public, Pantex employees, and the environment would be protected in the event of an actual emergency. If you observe suspicious activity before or after April 17, please report your observations to 477-5000.

Pantex has a new fire truck that was built customized to input provided by Pantex fire department members.

The new Administrative Support Complex requires that the Pantex Fire Department be able to reach the third floor in the event of a fire, but the current equipment would only reach to the top of a two story building. Knowing that is would be a requirement, the fire department set the gears in motion for a new fire truck with a ladder a little over a year ago.

“We really started thinking outside of the box with this truck,” said Robert Napp, Pantex Fire Captain. “Knowing we needed something that would reach the top floors at the new building, the Fire Chief wanted the most capable piece of equipment we could get that would fit in our station. We started talking about what would be useful for us during rescues — how could we get the most bang for our buck.”

The new truck was built in the United States, but the 102 foot ladder that sits atop the truck was made in Germany by a company that has been in the business of making ladders for fire trucks for more than 100 years.

Pantex recently celebrated Engineering Week 2018 by hosting the Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day conference for more than 100 area high school girls. The event, organized by the Pantex Women in Nuclear (WIN) organization, featured interactive presentation booths and plenary sessions by women leaders in STEM fields. Consolidated Nuclear Security, WIN, and Pantex Outreach and Leadership Organization (POLO) hosted the inaugural conference in partnership with the Don Harrington Discovery Center, West Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Asarco, Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering, and Bell Helicopter.

AMARILLO, Texas/OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – United Way contributions at the Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex totaled some $1.1 million, Consolidated Nuclear Security, the sites’ managing and operating contractor, announced today. Contributions from employees, retirees and the corporation were gathered during the sites’ recent campaigns.

Corporate gifts of $150,000 also added to the total. Funds also were raised through special events, such as silent auctions, and the sales of jewelry, books and food items. This year, both sites’ employees added to their United Way activities by raising funds and supplies for local veteran resource centers.

“Pantexans have always been deeply committed to their community, as evidenced by the 10 percent increase in our Leadership Givers, those who donate $1,000 or more annually,” said Pantex Site Manager Todd Ailes. “The money raised here stays here, helping our neighbors in need.”

“Our employees come from all across East Tennessee and represent the diverse communities that make this such a special place,” said Y-12 Plant Manager Bill Tindal. “The fact that each United Way organization receives a representative percentage of employee contributions is what giving back is all about. I can’t think of a better way to help the people of your home community than through United Way.”

Y-12 employee contributions to the United Way are distributed in 17 East Tennessee counties, while Pantex contributions benefit the Texas Panhandle region and equated to 11 percent of the overall Amarillo and Canyon United Way campaign.

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.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Some 212 Pantex and Y-12 employees recently were recognized by the Office of Defense Programs for setting the bar high with their work and significant contributions to sustain our nation’s nuclear deterrent.

“The work that underpins the stockpile is complex and challenging,” said Phil Calbos, principal assistant deputy administrator for Defense Programs. “These awards recognize the most exceptional of those efforts, and it is important to take time to honor those involved. Our superb people are at the core of NNSA’s role as part of the deterrent.”

DP Awards of Excellence recipients have made — in any phase of the nuclear weapons life cycle process — an identifiable and significant achievement in providing increased quality; productivity; cost savings; creativity; or enhanced weapon safety, security, or use control. Ceremonies were held in Amarillo, Texas, to honor 10 teams and Oak Ridge, Tenn., to honor three teams of award recipients.

“Your accomplishments are crucial to our continued success and represent Pantex and Y-12 at their best. Thank you for maintaining our can do spirit,” CNS President and Chief Executive Officer Morgan Smith said. “Our sites have made significant achievements throughout our history that we often reflect on, but your work sets the stage for our future. You’re pushing us forward daily with better ways to get the job done. Each of the 13 projects recognized by Defense Programs makes me very proud — of you, your foresight, and your dedication to our mission for the nation. Thank you.”

The DP Awards of Excellence were established in 1982 to recognize significant individual and team accomplishments across the nuclear weapons complex in support of NNSA’s nuclear weapons program. The awards recognize significant achievements in quality, productivity, cost savings, safety, or creativity supporting NNSA’s nuclear weapons modernization program. Federal employees and contractors are eligible to win awards. An executive review panel, with equal representation from each office, selects the winners annually.

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.

Two hundred and twelve Pantex and Y-12 employees were singled out by the Office of Defense Programs for setting the bar high with their work and significant contributions to sustain our nation’s defense system.

“It’s important for the Office of Defense Programs to recognize the exceptional, complex, challenging, and innovative work that employees across the enterprise carry out each day, because their contributions ensure that our stockpile — the bedrock of the nation’s security — remains safe, secure, and effective,” said Phil Calbos, acting deputy administrator for Defense Programs. “NNSA’s stockpile stewardship capability is a central part of the nuclear deterrent, and it supports national and global security.”

Recently, ceremonies were held at Pantex to honor 10 teams and at Y-12 to honor three teams of award recipients.

DP Awards of Excellence recipients have made — in any phase of the nuclear weapons life cycle process — an identifiable and significant achievement in providing increased quality; productivity; cost savings; creativity; or enhanced weapon safety, security, or use control.

“Your accomplishments are crucial to our continued success and represent Pantex and Y-12 at their best. Thank you for maintaining our can do spirit,” CNS President and Chief Executive Officer Morgan Smith said. “Our sites have made significant achievements throughout our history that we often reflect on, but your work sets the stage for our future. You’re pushing us forward daily with better ways to get the job done. Each of the 13 projects recognized by Defense Programs makes me very proud — of you, your foresight, and your dedication to our mission for the nation. Thank you.”

Pantex winning teams:

• Automated Purchase and Ship Authorization
• Enterprise Logistics Management System Enhancements
• Pit Radiography Special Request for Pantex
• W78 Tooling Improvement Startup
• Accelerated Aging of New Production PBX-9501
• High Explosive Pressing Debonding
• WETL Additional Centrifuge-Drive Replacement
• PT3854 RF PTAE Development
• Qualification Evaluation Reports Cycle Reporting Process Improvements
• Highly Efficient Reliable Operations Tool

Y-12 winning teams:

• Direct Chip Melt Process Validation
• Electronic Derivative Classifier/Reviewing Official System
• Dismantlement Acceleration

These awards celebrate achievements across the entire Nuclear Security Enterprise and are presented in special ceremonies throughout the year at the laboratories, sites, and headquarters. During 2017, the 2016 special awards were distributed to 2,300 members across the Nuclear Security Enterprise.

The DP Awards of Excellence were established in 1982 to recognize significant individual and team accomplishments across the nuclear weapons complex in support of NNSA’s nuclear weapons program. The awards recognize significant achievements in quality, productivity, cost savings, safety, or creativity supporting NNSA’s nuclear weapons modernization program. Federal employees and contractors are eligible to win awards. An executive review panel, with equal representation from each office, selects the winners annually.

Congratulations to all 212 Pantex and Y-12 award winners!

The W78 Tooling Improvement Startup team of 26 met an aggressive schedule for new tooling to be implemented ahead of schedule and with a cost savings.

Pantex recently reached a major milestone when they passed 5 million hours without a Lost Time injury. From December 20, 2016 to December 2, 2017, Pantexans worked 5,979,716 hours without a Lost Time injury.

Jimmy Rogers, Pantex Safety and Industrial Hygiene manager, said in November2017 Pantex received two recognitions from the National Safety Council. The first was the Million Work Hours Award - noting the more than 5 million hours worked without a Lost Time injury and the second, the Occupational Excellence Achievement Award – awarded to companies that have Lost Time injury cases equal to or less than 50 percent of their industry classification code.

“I am very proud of Pantex,” said Rogers. “This is evidence that we are heading in the right direction. With keeping safety as our first imperative and our dedication to each other, we can continue to improve and strive for our goal of an injury-free workplace.”

Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Department of Energy records worker injuries in four categories, from the least serious to most serious:

• First aid: an injury such as minor cuts, sprains, or strains
• Recordable: an injury that require medical treatment such as prescriptions, stitches, or physical therapy
• Restricted Work: an injury that impacts regular work duties
• Lost Time: an injury that requires the employee be off work at least one shift

The last time Pantex achieved this many hours was in 2012, when the site went 14 months and more than 8 million hours without a Lost Time injury.

From left: Monte McAnear, Robin Harris, Anthony Ingersoll, and Corey Strickland showcase Pantex’s two recent safety recognitions.

Congratulations to Pantex on this significant accomplishment; shown are Jackie Mercer (left), Gerald Johnston, and Donny Perry.