Isaacson named FRCSE 2010 Engineer of Year

By FRCSE Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Joshua R. Isaacson has been named the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) 2010 Engineer of the Year for his professional leadership and technical expertise as a member of the J52 Engine Fleet Support Team.

Isaacson, a senior propulsion and power engineer, was recognized during an award’s luncheon sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Feb. 18.

He provides engineering support to the Navy and Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler, an aircraft that offers an umbrella of protection for strike aircraft and ground troops by jamming enemy radar, electronic data links and communications operations.

An expert on the J52 engine platform, Isaacson continually seeks ways to improve the capabilities of In-Service Engineering. He adopts the latest technologies and engineering tools, such as Rapid Prototyping and Finite Element Analysis to reduce the time for determining causal factors and implement corrective action.

As the lead J52 engineer, Isaacson has conducted numerous safety-related engineering investigations. In August 2008, he spent five days aboard the USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52), a rescue and salvage ship assisting the Naval Safety Center with a class “A” investigation.

A Navy Prowler crashed shortly after takeoff 28 nautical miles from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam Feb. 12, 2008. The crew conducted salvage operations using submersibles on the Pacific Ocean floor, a depth of 6,400 feet. They recovered the engines and other aircraft components.

Back at FRCSE, Isaacson analyzed the recovered pieces and quickly determined the accident was caused from a fatigued bearing. He worked aggressively with other engineers to redesign key areas of the faulty part. His skillful contributions to flight engineering investigations have greatly reduced the safety risk to EA-6B aircrews.

His commitment to the engineering profession continues to improve J52 engine reliability. He is recognized as one of the up-and-coming engineers in the propulsion field and has gained acceptance throughout the Fleet as an expert in J52 engineering.

Isaacson is a 2006 graduate of the Mechanical Engineering Program at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. He is pursuing a Masters degree in Engineering at the University of Central Florida, Orlando.

//USN//
Photo Captions:

10-33A:
Aerospace Engineer Joshua Isaacson (second from left) is named the FRCSE 2010 Engineer of the Year during a ceremony at the National Press Club Feb. 18 in Washington D.C. Presenting the award are Jim Russeau (center), the turbojet engines in-service engineering supervisor and (center right) Commander FRC Rear Adm. Timothy Matthews. Also shown are Sam Grossman (left) and Executive Director Larry Jacobson (right) of NSPE, the organization sponsoring the annual event. (Photo by James Tkatch)

10-33B:
Aerospace Engineer Joshua Isaacson (left) inspects a J52 engine during an investigation as Aircraft Engine Repairer Edgar Sidbury (right) assists. (Photo courtesy of Joshua Isaacson)