Members of the Professional Development Group (PDG) at Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst got a unique perspective of the people they support during a recent visit to Norfolk, VA.  

“This is a great event as it gives our new employees exposure to the operating environment aboard a Navy ship, and to meet with fleet representatives to get a better understanding of how the equipment we develop and maintain at NAWCAD Lakehurst is used on a daily basis,” said Xavier Rose, F/A-18 E-G Support Equipment Branch Head, one of the leaders of the trip.  

Members of the PDG are recent hires looking to expand their professional networks and come together to advance common goals. The trip to Virginia in July included visits to USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) and USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) where members were given tours of the inner workings of some of the Navy’s most advanced ships. While on USS Bainbridge, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and the first-of-its-class Gerald R. Ford, the members saw many parts of the ships, including the hangar bay, flight deck, control room, and bridge. 

They also got a firsthand look at how technology developed at Lakehurst is implemented in the real world, and how future-based projects could help Sailors and the fleet for years to come, including the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG).  

“This tour opened my eyes to the complexity of collaborating with military and industry to deliver highly sophisticated capabilities to the fleet,” said computer scientist Zane Mrazek. “From mechanical to informational systems, it takes immense planning to integrate these pieces together in a timely and cost-effective manner.”  

In addition to the ship tours, the PDG members also visited the “Gladiators” Squadron (VFA 106) and saw the briefing rooms and ready room for the squadron’s pilots. They also visited the hangar where they got a close look at the F/A-18 Super Hornets, saw what the aircraft’s mid-flight refueling equipment looks like, and were able to see the M61 Vulcan gun off the aircraft and disassembled for maintenance. 

Matthew Selvaratnam, an IT specialist at Lakehurst said the tour was a “rare opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the warfighter and their daily challenges.” He also said it was rewarding to see how their work is implemented by the fleet.  

Research analyst Olivia Maxwell also said the ship tour was an incredible opportunity.  

“The combination of seeing the equipment I provide support for, and gaining more knowledge on the warfighter’s setting provided me with a valuable experience that I will carry with me throughout my career here at NAWCAD Lakehurst,” Maxwell said.  

For E-2D Support Equipment acquisition manager Jessica Arneth, the visit was a chance to get to know her fellow PDG members and also develop a closer working relationship with colleagues at Norfolk.  

“Attending the ship tour of Ford was an incredible experience, offering a unique glimpse into the advanced capabilities of the vessel,” Arneth said, adding the enjoyed seeing the E-2D Hawkeye. “During this time, I was able to speak with the squadron’s Individual Material Readiness List manager, and we discussed how we could potentially improve current processes by developing clearer procedures for enhanced operational efficiency.”