Four teams across three Air, Anti-submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission (PEO(A)) programs were awarded highest Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) honors during the annual NAVAIR Commanders Award ceremony held June 4. 

In a message to the NAVAIR community, Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, Commander, NAVAIR stated “Our award winners rose to the top from a remarkable pool of 129 exceptional nominees, all of whom demonstrated the mindset, behaviors and commitment that drive our mission forward—delivering the warfighting capability our fleet needs, at a cost we can afford.” 

The four award winning teams from three PEO(A) programs are as follows: 

Business Innovation: Presidential Helicopters Program (PMA-274) 

The VH-92A Interactive Electronic Technical Manual (IETM) Team demonstrated outstanding performance and enterprise-level excellence in business innovation by delivering critical technical publications in support of fleet and depot-level maintainers at both Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) and the Presidential Helicopter Support Facility.  The team's innovative approach to product development, focusing on organic capabilities, and involving the customer in the design significantly reduced program costs by 50% per year, or $78 million across the life of the VH-92A program; additionally, the team decreased publication update cycle time from 30-days to 12 hours, or a 5900% reduction.  The long-term result has been improved technical publication services and support for maintainers, where the VH-92A IETM product has helped to generate NAVAIR-leading aircraft readiness for the VH-92A, achieving 90% Mission Capable Aircraft Required (MCAR) and 84% Fully Mission Capable Aircraft Required (FMCAR) averages for CY24.

“The VH-92A Fleet Support Team has set a high standard for innovation. By doing business differently, they reduced sustainment costs and decreased technical publication update cycle time.  These accomplishments have set the conditions for high readiness rates in support of the HMX-1 strategic, no fail mission,” said Col Alex Ramthun, PMA-274 program manager.

Technical Innovation: V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275) 

The Osprey Drive System Safety and Health Information (ODSSHI) and Clutch Instrumentation teams continue to innovate the V-22 Osprey, an aircraft known for its unmatched combat range and airspeed. ODSSHI provides drive system monitoring, enabling predictive maintenance actions and logistics planning. Advanced instrumentation and data recording provide higher resolution to assess the clutch and can be used to evaluate a redesigned Input Quill Assembly that will reduce wear. Innovation and the tremendous effort of the teams provide near- and long-term improvements to the fleet.   

“This award is a testament to the unwavering dedication, hard work, and brilliant minds both teams bring to PMA-275,” said Col Robert Hurst, PMA-275 program manager. “Day in and day out, they are pushing the boundaries, overcoming challenges, and ultimately will be delivering a truly groundbreaking solution. By leveraging advanced Condition Based Maintenance Plus (CBM+) technology, ODSSHI will provide diagnostic gearbox health data, complement existing systems, enable prognostic trending, improve failure detection, and enhance aviation safety.”   

Availability: USMC Light / Attack Helicopter Programs Office (PMA-276) In-Service Integrated Program Team (IPT)  

PMA-276 In-Service Team Integrated Program Team (IPT) has been key to the H-1 achieving exceptional MCAR and FMCAR requirements. By coordinating with fleet representatives and all responsible stakeholders, the team resolved readiness issues impacting availability. Additionally, the team executed a government led modification line enhancing H-1 capability with minimal impact to squadron aircraft availability. 

Most Collaborative IPT Lead: Caroline McPherson, PMA-276  

Ms. Caroline McPherson served as the In-Service IPT lead within the Warfighting Readiness pillar for PMA-276, from January 1 to December 31, 2024.  She established a dynamic aircraft modification operation and coordinated with multiple entities to deliver full modified aircraft incorporated with the latest combat capabilities, communication, and munition upgrades.  She was instrumental in collaboration with the contractor to obtain access to important documentation, thereby enhancing the government's ability to conduct organic support activities.  Her collaboration and leadership abilities have been instrumental to the success of the H-1 enterprise. 

“Managing the readiness of 250 fleet aircraft is not an easy task,” said Col Jason Duke, PMA-276 program manager. “It requires collaboration on a massive scale to ensure all the parts, all the contracts, and all the training are in place to make this platform safe, reliable, and effective. The In-Service Team produces strong, consistent results in the MCAR category and are not satisfied with those results, targeting FMCAR goals with enthusiasm. This exceptional team is led by a very extraordinary person in Ms. McPherson. Together, they make collaboration and readiness look easy, and we are so very fortunate to have them on our team and supporting our H-1 fleet.” 

About the programs 

PEO(A) provides fleet capability and capacity, supporting development and sustainment of Navy and Marine Corps helicopters, special mission aircraft and aviation anti-submarine warfare equipment and aircraft.  PEO(A) comprises ten major program offices.   

PMA-274 expeditiously provides safe, ready, high-performing, and affordable aircraft, capabilities, and support to Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1). 

PMA-275 manages the cradle-to-grave procurement, development, support, fielding, and disposal of the tiltrotor program systems for U.S. Marine Corps medium-lift assault support, the U.S. Air Force's Special Operations Forces long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions, and Navy’s long-range/medium-lift element of the intra-theater aerial logistics capability fulfilling the Joint Force Maritime Component Commander (JFMCC) time-critical logistics air connector requirements by transporting personnel, mail and priority cargo from advance bases to the Seabase.  

PMA-276 manages the cradle to grave procurement, development, support, fielding and disposal of the Marine Corps rotary wing close air support, anti-armor, armed escort, armed/visual reconnaissance and fire support program systems.