F/A-18 door cuts

Russell Timothy, left, and Joey Baesas repair a F/A-18 door while at sea aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Photo by Gary Dixon, NAMRA.

Russell Timothy, left, and Joey Baesas received letters of commendation from Cmdr. William Ainsworth, Naval Air Mediterranean Repair Activity executive officer. Photo by Gary Dixon, NAMRA

NAVAIR Depot North Island artisans lauded for work aboard deployed carrier

By Bill Bartkus
NAVAIR Depot North Island

CORONADO, Calif., - NAVAIR Depot North Island artisans – Russell Timothy and Joey Baesas – have been commended for their work in support of Carrier Air Wing 1 while deployed aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65). In less than two months aboard the carrier, they performed complex depot-level repairs to 18 carrier-deployed Navy and Marine Corps aircraft engaged in air support operations over Iraq. Both artisans work for the Field Service detachment at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. Before returning to home to the Depot, the men received Naval Air Mediterranean Repair Activity (Italy) Letters of Commendation.
“Every squadron in Carrier Air Wing 1 raved about the men. They integrated themselves very well into the air wing, and their valuable contribution to aircraft readiness was recognized by everyone,” said Cmdr. Timothy Dunigan, NAMRA commanding officer.
“I have been in the naval aviation community for 25 years and can honestly say that this P and E team is the absolute best,” said Lt. Keith Rowe, maintenance material control officer for Fighter Attack Squadron 86. “The primary difference is the great attitude that the entire team displayed. Their quick turnaround time on all projects and their desire to help the air wing return our jets to flying status helped us to do what we do best: drop bombs on target.”
Said Dunigan, “It is the hard work and personal sacrifice of our NADEP artisans that make the naval aviation team so successful. NADEP North Island should be proud of the accomplishments of Mr. Timothy and Mr. Baesas; they have contributed to the strong tradition of NADEP North Island’s tremendous service to the fleet.”
Timothy said that he and Baesas worked half days aboard the ship. “A half day of work is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,” he said. “We also repaired a fuel cell on a EA-6B Prowler. We were happy to help the fleet,” he said. “This is our job.”
NAVAIR provides cost-wise readiness and dominant maritime combat power to make a great Navy and Marine Corps Team better.