The Mission Safety Team from the Site Operations Office at Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst recently received the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Squadron Excellence in Safety Large Industrial Award for 2023.  

Last year, the team worked together to target potential injury-causing issues. As a result, on-duty civilian/military mishaps decreased by 50%, while medical surveillance increased from 56% to 92%. In addition, the safety training programs increased from 72% to 94%. The team also implemented new Command Medical Surveillance and Energy Control Standard Operating Procedures to ensure a safe work environment with employees protected from unexpected equipment activation during maintenance, repair and servicing.  

Stephen Butler, NAWCAD Lakehurst’s Safety and Occupational Health Manager, noted this was the first time a group from NAWCAD had applied for the award, making winning on their first try even more impactful. Butler said his team succeeds because of their willingness and eagerness to work as a team unit, allowing everyone to work together to accomplish the command safety goals.  

“It really feels good to see the team get the recognition for what they do daily to support the mission here at Lakehurst,” Butler said.