Recently, for the tenth time, 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 in 1977 as a Staff Logistics Manager in the Support Equipment Engineering Department, Naval Air Engineering Center, Lakehurst, NJ. 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 and was installed as 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.
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, as well as Jason Simodejka, with his wife, Ellen. 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 for the Simodejkas.
Pat recognized those who perished in the plane accident more than 10 years ago, by reading quotes about each of them from the Air Scoop issue that covered the memorial service held during that sad August day in 2000, a poignant moment for those in attendance.
Presenting the awards was Mr. Daniel Nega, SES, AIR-6.8, with Master of Ceremonies, Mary Jones, NAWC-AD 6.0A. Also in attendance were John Altomare, NAWC-AD 6.0, Director of Logistics, and by VTC from Patuxent River, Mr. Kalmen Leikach, AIR-6.0, Director of Logistics and Industrial Operations. Other attendees from Paxtuxent River were Mr. James Stratakes, Deputy Program Manger, PMA-261; Mr. Robert Leavitt, H-53K PDAPML, PMA-261; Lt. Col. Chuck Jones, CH-53K APML, PMA-261; Lt. Col. Hank Vanderborght, CH-53K IPT Lead, PMA-261. There were several representatives of NAWC-AD, Lakehurst, including Jeff Lewis, AD-4.8.8, Greg Kizeik, AD-4.8.8.1 and Pete Mills, AD-4.8.2.3. Coworkers of the winners attended to lend their support and congratulations.
The recipient of this year’s Michael G. Simodejka Outstanding Logistics Manager of the Year Award is Jackie Powell. The recipient of the Team of the Year Award is the H-53K Super Stallion Product Support Team. These selections were based upon demonstrated Leadership, Innovation, Warfighter Support and Process Improvement.
Jackie Powell, AD 6.6.2.10, was recognized for her superior dedication and professionalism over the past year while performing her duties as Deputy APML for the PMA-251 CVN VLA Team. Aircraft Carrier VLA is comprised of numerous visual landing aids, including the shipboard and shore-based Improved Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (IFLOLS) that displays glide path and trend information to a fixed wing pilot
approaching the flight deck, as well as multiple lighting systems that are used to illuminate the flight deck and provide optical signals for aircrews and flight deck personnel.
Powell’s persistence and seemingly effortless ability to manage the daily support challenges of many acquisition and legacy systems has made a distinct difference to our Warfighters. As the citation read, “She has displayed the professionalism, knowledge, and “can do” spirit that embodies the Michael G. Simodejka award.”
The H-53K Super Stallion Product Support Team: John Stacey, Joseph Harris, Anthony Meath, Gary Flenner, and Aviation Structural Mechanic Senior Chief Michael T. Malley, was recognized for their efforts and initiatives while investigating the suitability and analyzing the credibility of the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEMs) Level Of Repair Analysis (LORA) tools, discerning that the OEM's tool was not effective in meeting the goal of optimizing levels of repair either for readiness or cost. The Team re-evaluated the tool and determined that correcting, validating and verifying the Prime’s LORA tool would cause unacceptable delay.
The CH-53K Super Stallion Supportability Team undertook a countrywide search of a LORA tool that would provide the fidelity necessary to develop and deliver to the war fighter the least cost, lowest level of repair Product Support Packages. The search yielded Army’s COMPASS model which was modified to a Navy version. The CH-53K Supportability Teams’ 6.8 analysts worked with 6.7 competencies to establish COMPASS as the standard for LORA within NAVAIR.
A joint services LORA working group has been established to further develop COMPASS as a viable Navy/Marine Corps LORA model. The Team’s effort not only assisted in the Program Office’s strategic goal of providing the most affordable and supportable product support packages, but also assisted other programs within NAVAIR by ensuring that a key supportability analysis tool will provide the accuracy necessary in building effective Product Support Packages.
The Team went the extra mile to analyze the underlying assumptions and formulas in the models to ensure the output would yield correct and beneficial results. The results of the Team’s efforts reflect the tremendous and exceptional results that can be achieved through personal dedication, the synergies of cross functional expertise
and effective teamwork. Their efforts reflect great credit upon themselves, their competencies and programs as well as NAVAIR.
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.
20100831-N-6685J-061 -- John Altomare, Director of Logistics NAVAIR; Pat Simodejka; H-53K team members, Gary Flenner, John Stacey, Anthony Meath, Joseph Harris and Chief Michael Malley and Daniel Nega, Director Aviation Readiness NAVAIR gather after Michael G. Simodejka award ceremony.
20100831-N- 6685J-058 -- Pat Simodejka; John Altomare, Directory of Logistics NAVAIR; Jackie Powell, Deputy APML for the PMA-251 CVN VLA Team and Daniel Nega, Director of Aviation Readiness NAVAIR.