By Jeff Coates
NAVAIR Public Affairs

NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. Walter Massenburg presented the NAVAIR 2003 Sailor of the Year (SOY) award to PR1 (FPJ) Thomas J Henderson, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. The award ceremony was held in the Moffett Building atrium Feb. 23.

“This honor is very overwhelming especially due to the level of good competition. I’m happy to have won,” said Henderson.

As project lead for six Department of Defense and NASA escape and egress programs, Henderson achieved the highest qualification a test parachutist can achieve. His unmatched leadership led to a 100-percent increase in command readiness as well as achieved a 100 percent advancement rate in the test parachute operations branch.

“Go for it. Do the best you can because being in the Navy is a great opportunity,” said Henderson to aspiring and potential naval petty officers.

The other site SOYs and nominees for the NAVAIR SOY award were: AT1 Charles C. Schramm, Naval Air Systems Command headquarters; AW1 Michael Carlson, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division; PR1 Rolando Dayao, NAVAIR Depot North Island; and AZ1 Marcelon Mosley, Naval Air Pacific Repair Activity, Atsugi.

Schramm’s technical expertise ensured the completion of 26 statutory documents and 36 Navy training systems plan reviews ahead of schedule with no discrepancies. Utilizing his database knowledge, he designed 30 queries for use by other analysts, which reduced the time for data acquisition by 65 percent.

“It’s been a great experience to meet other Sailors of the year,” said Schramm.

Carlson’s dedication and commitment led to his selection as Naval Test Wing Atlantic Sailor of the Year 2003. As the lead flight test crew chief for the MH-60R multi-mission helicopter, he contributed to the safe and efficient execution of 200 ground and flight hours in support of developmental flight-testing. His supervision and mentoring of junior personnel led the squadron to a grade of “outstanding” during the unit’s Naval Air Training and Operating Procedure and Standard evaluation.

“I feel honored to be recognized with the title, and I want to thank everyone involved in the selection process,” said Carlson.

Dayao’s efforts were key to the early return of aircraft to the fleet due to the incorporation of maintenance control procedures for two new product lines. He was also directly responsible for 548 mishap free hours through his safe completion of 300 post-rework functional check flights and 213 ferry flights.

“It feels really good to be recognized. I couldn’t have done it without the khakis (chief petty officers and above) and juniors,” said Dayao.

Mosley facilitated a 25 percent increase to in-service repair completion for aircraft forward deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. He coordinated administrative requests and dispositions for critical depot repairs on 406 aircraft contributing directly to unsurpassed fleet readiness levels.

After receiving his award Mosley said, “This is the best Navy in the world, and a great place to get started.”

The nominees were graded on leadership, their professional and personal accomplishments during the calendar year, their appearance and military bearing. They were also required to answer questions in the categories of naval history, Navy traditions and protocol, Uniform Code Military Justice, military code of conduct, current events and world affairs, chain of command, first aid, Navy programs, leadership, and counseling. The nominees were judged on their responses to questions on these categories during a personal appearance before a formal selection board comprised of senior enlisted Sailors from NAVAIR commands.

For more information on the NAVAIR SOY, contact CMC Bill Marriott at 301-757-7985.

Photo by: Roger LeJeune
Photo Caption: From left to right
NAVAIR Commander, VADM Massenburg, PR1 (FPJ) Henderson, AZ1 Marcelon Mosley, PR1 Rolando Dayao, AW1 Michael Carlson, AT1 Charles Schramm and Command Master Chief Bill Marriott.