The first anniversary of the Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems/Naval Air Depot Cherry Point partnership passed July 1. The partnership was established to overhaul and repair Navy H-46 and H-53 auxiliary power units, APU components and related accessories.

This teaming effort has already improved product availability and is beginning to show reliability improvements and total ownership cost reductions to the fleet. It is one of several partnerships in process at the depot at this time, and its successful implementation is due to the dedication, determination and patience of the skilled artisans in the APU shop, the Fuel Control, Accessories Repair and Test shop and the Metals and Process/Pneudraulic/Power Plant supporting shops, along with their production controllers, industrial engineering technicians, examiner and evaluators, quality assurance specialists, workload planners, NAVAIR engineers, facilities engineers and budget analysts. Along with Hamilton Sundstrand Power Systems and their supporting logistics provider AAR, the depot has improved processes and reduced H-46 and H-53 APU turnaround time from 150 days to less than 50 days in one year.

Cutline: Naval Air Depot Cherry Point Commanding Officer Col. J. Mark Reed and representatives of the Hamilton Sundstrand/depot partnership team (front row from l-r) Pete Pagano, Steve Glasgow, Mary Lee Cuthrell, Debbie Paquin and Steve Farrer and (back row from l-r) Dan Sheetszeiger, Ricky Nelson, Nacy Shelton, Gail Sessoms and Tommy Thompson stand behind a H-46 T-62T-11 auxiliary power unit and a H-53 T-62T-27 APU.

Photo by Dykie Whitfield