By Renee Hatcher
NAWCWD Public Affairs

Twelve scientists and engineers from the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division were inducted into the NAVAIR Associate Fellows Program during ceremonies held Nov. 3 at China Lake and Point Mugu.

Dr. Bob Smith, representing the NAVAIR Fellows Administration Board, hosted the induction ceremonies at China Lake. Capt. Mark Storch, NAWCWD commander, recognized the newest Fellows with plaques at both sites.

“You are the core of NAVAIR’s top scientists and engineers,” Storch said to the newest Fellows. “We cannot be successful as a Navy or a nation without you; the command relies on you as the experts.”

Rear Adm. BD Gaddis, NAVAIR’s assistant commander for Research and Engineering, announced the 39 newest NAVAIR Fellows in September.

“These selectees are recognized as being among the command's top 3 percent of the technical engineering and science work force,” Gaddis said. “Their contributions, knowledge and expertise are highly respected by peers and leadership alike, and they also serve as role models for others in the organization.”

The nine from China Lake who were selected for the Fellows Program were Wayne Willhite, Howard McCauley, Dan Crabtree Doug Cole, Peter Hudson, Al Quintana, Dan Goriesky, Gene Jaeger and Pamela Overfelt.

The three from Point Mugu were Bradley Coler, Michael Martorano and James Ledin.

The NAVAIR Research and Engineering Fellows Program was established in 2000 as a peer-oriented technical recognition program for NAVAIR's most experienced and talented scientists and engineers. The program is national in scope and is open to all 7,000 NAVAIR engineers and scientists throughout all competencies at all sites. Members of the Fellows Program provide advice and counsel to NAVAIR's assistant commander for Research and Engineering (AIR-4.0) and serve as advisers and mentors to the engineers and scientists in the naval aviation community.

The fellows program consists of three technical levels of recognition and one honorary level. The first tier of recognition is the Associate Fellow, selected and recognized at the national department level. There are currently 169 NAVAIR Associate Fellows. The second tier is the NAVAIR Fellow. NAVAIR Fellows are selected by majority vote of the current NAVAIR Fellows and Esteemed Fellows. There are 32 NAVAIR Fellows. The highest level of recognition is the NAVAIR Esteemed Fellow; they are selected by the existing NAVAIR Esteemed Fellows. There are currently 11 Esteemed Fellows.

“The Fellows program recognizes the significant contributions our technical work force has made and continues to make to our nation’s defense,” Smith said. “This is a way to show our appreciation for their distinguished accomplishments.”

PHOTO CUTLINE

Photo by Dan O’Connor
Dr. Bob Smith, left, of the NAVAIR Fellows Administration Board, and NAWCWD Commander Capt. Mark Storch celebrate with the newest inductees of the NAVAIR Research and Engineering Associate Fellows Program on Nov. 3. From left are Howard McCauley, Gene Jaeger, Dan Crabtree, Al Quintana and Dan Goriesky. New Fellows not available for the ceremony at China Lake were Wayne Willhite, Pam Overfelt, Doug Cole and Peter Hudson.