Once again the NAWC-AD Logistics community took time to pause and remember the legacy of Michael G. Simodejka, the man primarily responsible for the establishment of Logistics as a major force in NAWC-AD. Michael G. Simodejka was a highly decorated retired Army Ranger and during his distinguished career, he received many commendations and medals, among them the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and National Defense Medal. Upon his retirement from the Army, he started his civilian career with the United States Navy as a Staff Logistics Manager in the Support Equipment Engineering Department, Naval Air Engineering Center, Lakehurst, NJ in 1977. He then moved to the Ship Installations Department as a Logistics Division Head before he was tasked with establishing the first Logistics Department at the Naval Air Engineering Center where he was the Department Head. Mr. Simodejka became the first civilian Director of the Logistics Competency for the Naval Air Warfare Center - Aircraft Division (NAWC-AD) in 1997. His civilian naval career as a highly successful manager and leader in logistics management spanned 23 years before being cut short by his untimely death in August 2000 as one of the passengers on the shuttle flight traveling from Lakehurst to Patuxent River. In his honor the Michael G. Simodejka Award has been established within the NAWC–AD Logistics and Industrial Operations Group, Code 6.0. All NAWC-AD, 6.0, civilian employees are eligible for the award, regardless of series, grade or location.

On 25 August the 9th annual ceremony presenting the awards to the 2009 winners, was held at Lakehurst. Once again the ceremony was graced with the presence of Pat Simodejka and her family, Dawn Jacobus and her husband Michael, with their children, Michael and Kira, and for the first time, Jason Simodejka, Pat and Mike’s son was able to attend. Pat spoke of her appreciation for this award keeping the memory of her husband alive within the Logistics Community and updated everyone on the past year of family life for the Simodejkas. A joyful, yet poignant moment for those in attendance.

Presenting the awards was RDML(S) Timothy Matthews, AIR-6.0. Also in attendance were John Altomare, NAWC-AD 6.0, Director of Logistics, who acted as Master of Ceremonies and Mary Jones, NAWC-AD 6.0A, Deputy Director. Attendees from Paxtuxent River were Joseph Schmidley, Acting PMA-275 ALE IPT Lead, who accepted the award for Mr. Maley, William Matzen, V-22 Director of Logistics (PMA-275) and Sam McNeeley, Deputy CAMEO Team Lead. There were several representatives of the NAWC-AD Lakehurst Executive Leadership Council in attendance, including Mauricio Borrero, AD-1.0 and Jean Hansel, AD-10.0. Team members of the winners were also there to lend support and congratulations.

The recipient of this year’s Michael G. Simodejka Outstanding Logistics Manager of the Year Award is Mr. Jeffrey L. Hampton. The recipient of the Team of the Year Award is the Comprehensive Automated Maintenance Environment Optimized (CAMEO) Team. These selections were based upon demonstrated Leadership, Innovation, Warfighter Support and Process Improvement.

Jeffrey Hampton, AD 6.6.3.1 was recognized for his superior dedication and professionalism over the past year while performing his duties as Deputy APML for the PMA-201 Fuel Containment Team. Fuel Containment encompasses organic Navy Aerial Refueling Systems and Navy/USMC External Fuel Tanks. With Navy and Marine Corps Aviation currently engaged in the Global War on Terrorism, Mr. Hampton’s daily achievements have made a significant difference to our War Fighters. Mr. Hampton is charged to ensure that both organic aerial refueling systems and External Fuel Tanks are fully maintainable and operationally supported, thus greatly enhancing strike capability of Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft.

The CAMEO Team, headed by Scott Maley, was recognized for the introduction of CAMEO 1.0 to the V-22 fleet. CAMEO 1.0 is a joint service, Non-Proprietary, Government owned, automated Logistics Environment (ALE) solution which maximizes flexibility for continuous enhancements as well as reuse by other interested Aircraft Platforms looking to leverage an AME solution at minimal cost. The Team also actively pursued collaborative efforts with the E-2D and VH-71 programs to maximize reuse and cost sharing for common ALE capabilities between the three programs. Work on enhanced versions of CAMEO has continued with the 1.1 version anticipated in the summer of 2009 and the 1.2 version expected before the end of 2009.

Each awardee received an individual plaque and a monetary award. Their names are engraved on bronze plates, which will be attached to larger permanent plaques on display in the lobbies of Building 596 at Lakehurst and Building 516 at Patuxent River.