PMA265 Finland F-18 Integrated Product Team (IPT) Program Manager Mr. Randy Powell was recently honored with a prestigious award from the customer he has loyally and dependably served. Powell was presented with Finnish Technical Wings for 11 years of outstanding contributions to the Finnish F-18 program. Finland’s Minister of Defense, Mr. Seppo Kaariainen and Finnish Air Force (FiAF) Commanding General, Lieutenant General Jouni Pystynen personally presented the wings to Powell at the 86th anniversary ceremony of the founding of the FiAF on March 6th at FiAF Headquarters in Tikkakoski, Finland. Powell is only the fifth individual outside of active FiAF members to be awarded this prestigious honor. Upon acceptance of the wings, Powell was inducted as an honorary member of the FiAF.

Powell began his association with the Finland F-18 program in 1993 as a Support Equipment Manager at NAF Lakehurst, NJ. Four years later he joined NAVAIR as the Finland Deputy Program Manager. Powell assumed his current post as Finland F-18 Program Manager in October 1999. The FiAF has 63 F-18 aircraft in their inventory, delivered under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, with the final aircraft having been delivered in August 2000. The FiAF is presently in the midst of an ambitious Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) program adding Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), Tactical Moving Map Composer (TAMMAC), AN/ALR-111 Combined Interrogator Transponder and AN/ARC-210 Radios with Have Quick to their F-18 fleet.

"Randy and the Finnish IPT truly embody the best of what NAVAIR is about,” related Commander Greg Wallace, PMA265 FMS Program Manager. “His team has developed a close relationship with the Finnish Air Force through their involved, hands-on support of the complicated F/A-18 C/D weapons systems, and the fact that the FiAF would take the time to recognize Randy's contributions to their National Defense speaks volumes for his character and professional abilities."

For more information contact Denise Deon Wilson at 301-481-6263.