NORFOLK, Va. — In June, the Navy reestablished the Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activities (SIMA) in Norfolk and San Diego after more than 20 years with the goals of increasing enlisted technical expertise and improving the combat readiness of surface combatants, Capt. Megan Thomas, commanding officer of SIMA Norfolk, recently discussed the return, the command’s mission, Sailor technical development, and how intermediate-level maintenance supports fleet readiness and combat capability.
Why is bringing back Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activities so important for the Navy? The strategic environment has changed significantly since the original SIMAs were disestablished. Today’s Navy needs Sailors who can both operate and repair their equipment, particularly in contested environments where outside technical assistance may not be available. Re-establishing SIMA Norfolk helps restore Sailor self-sufficiency while improving the material readiness of the fleet.
What is SIMA’s primary mission? SIMA has two primary missions: increasing enlisted technical expertise through intermediate-level maintenance and improving the combat readiness of surface ships. By combining hands-on repairs with technical development, we strengthen both our Sailors and the fleet…