From NAVAIR Public Affairs Office

The Combined Integrated Maintenance Activity (CIMA), which includes the Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) and Aviation Supply Department (ASD), at Naval Air Station North Island was recently honored with the prestigious 2003 Admiral Stanley Arthur Award for Logistics Team of the Year. The award, which includes a plaque and check for $10,000, was presented at a Pentagon ceremony on June 28, 2004.

The Admiral Stanley Arthur Awards for Logistics Excellence are bestowed annually to individuals and teams who epitomize logistics professionalism and excellence. Nominees may be involved in any or all phases of Navy logistics from early life-cycle planning to in-service logistics support, and are judged on their contributions which: advance logistics technology, products, services and processes; resolve major logistics issues and result in substantial tangible or intangible benefits; and provide innovative logistics planning and execution that merits adoption for standard usage.

The CIMA won the award by working to make Naval Air Station North Island the first Naval Air Station to implement the Relevant Information for Leadership (RIFLe) philosophy across the AIMD and the ASD. The RIFLe program, which is currently referred to as Basic Theory of Constraints (BTOC) with RIFLe and a key element of the AIRSpeed program, was created by the USMC and sponsored by NAVAIR. The RIFLe implementation core team consists of members from Aviation Support Logistics (ASL), Head Quarters Marine Corps (HQMC) and NAVAIR 3.0 senior enlisted and officers. The NAS North Island and core RIFLe team revolutionized the approach to cross-functional problem solving in aviation logistics and maintenance.

Using Theory of Constraints (TOC) to focus on critical local and wholesale systems barriers to aircraft readiness, they achieved unprecedented supply and maintenance improvements and their innovative ideas and quantifiable benefits modeled the way ahead for TOC implementation across the entire Naval Aviation Enterprise.

According to the award citation, the performance of the team “is a benchmark for any further comparison of what the combined aviation logistics team – Maintenance and Supply – can accomplish with a single focus and a single goal. By their exceptional professional ability, unprecedented initiative and dedication to duty the Integrated Maintenance Activity at Naval Air Station North Island reflected great credit upon themselves, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and are most worthy of being awarded the 2003 Admiral Stanley Arthur Award for Logistics Team of the Year.”

Members of the Combined Integrated Maintenance Activity include CDR William T. Ainsworth, USN; CDR John C. Smajdek, USN; CDR David C. Meyers, SC, USN; LT Gary S. Joshway, USN; LT Vinsant D. Evans, SC, USN; LTjg Jeffry M. Peltonen, SC, USN; AMCS Jon S. Smith; AECS David M. Willard; and SK1(SW) Victor H. Moreno.

For more information about the Admiral Stanley Arthur Awards, visit the Web site at https://ucsobdom02.hq.navy.mil/stanarthur.