Shipbuilders may notice new American flags flying in numerous buildings across the Newport News Shipbuilding waterfront. This is “Operation Red, White and Blue,” an effort to both display and instill pride and patriotism throughout the facility during America’s 250th birthday.

To date, the NNS Facilities team has installed nearly 200 flags, with approximately 400 more on deck.

The flags were custom made in Wixom, Michigan, to support this specific project. They range in size from 3-feet wide to 60-feet wide, and are made of a flame-retardant material that makes them safe to display in the shipyard’s industrial environments. The first 60-foot flag went up this past weekend in the Machine Shop (Bldg. 60).

Lindsay Baker (O43) and Beatrice Calkins (O43) are two of the shipbuilders behind the effort to display the collection of flags.

“We want this to be a more patriotic place to be,” Baker said. “It feels good to take part in this project. I’ve been here for 15 years, and hope that I can see these flags still flying in another 15. They represent exactly why we do what we do as shipbuilders.”

Calkins said that the project is different from her typical day-to-day, but that she is proud to support shipbuilders this way.

“We are going into every building that we can,” she said. “It’s my hope that each flag reminds shipbuilders of the pride we have in our country and our mission to support the Navy.”