Cherry Point-based Marines recently recognized a Naval Air Depot Cherry Point chemist for her support while their squadron was deployed to Iraq.

Gunnery Sergeants Mathew Nicoletti and Andrew Porter of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Four presented Jennifer Sanderson with an American flag and a certificate in recognition of her efforts Aug. 9. The flag was flown by VMAQ-4 aviators in an EA-6B Prowler during a four and a half flight over Iraq April 8.

Sanderson analyzes EA-6B engine filters from VMAQ-4 aircraft deployed in Iraq. She implemented the NADEP Filter Debris Analyzer program, which falls under the Navy Oil Analysis Program, to perform this critical work for fleet activities.

VMAQ-4 must take samples of the engine filter every 25-50 flight hours and have them analyzed. When the squadron deployed in January, it began using an FDA program at Middle East facility, but turnaround time took considerably longer than expected.

“The squadron was very discouraged by that and started sending it to us,” Sanderson said.

Nicoletti said VMAQ-4 has consistently received a seven-day turnaround from the NADEP FDA program.

VMAQ-4 had used the depot FDA program prior to being deployed and knew the program was first rate. The only other FDA site on the East Coast is in Pensacola, Fla.
The squadron ships spent engine filters from Iraq to Materials Engineering Division, where Sanderson performs a metal analysis on them. Metal analysis provides an accurate indicator of engine wear. The results are reported back to VMAQ-4 by daily naval messages.

“That’s their documentation of the analysis,” she said.

Sanderson also credits the quick turnaround time to Darlene Willis, Materials Engineering Division secretary. Willis has been responsible for sending the naval messages to VMAQ-4, and she has worked off hours and even come to work on prescheduled leave days in order to do so, according to Sanderson and George Barnett, Materials Engineering Division director.

Many people in Materials Engineering Division have worked hard to make the FDA program successful, Sanderson said.

She found it “very humbling” to receive the flag from the squadron. “It is truly an honor,” she said. “It’s my greatest achievement in my 10 years at NADEP.”

“It’s a good sign that we are doing a good job of supporting fleet activities, which is the biggest mandate that we have,” said Barnett. “It fits with the depot’s goal to give the fleet what they need to do their mission. It’s one of the most important things that we do.”

Although Sanderson has put in considerable effort and long hours establishing and running the FDA program at NADEP since last October, she considers her sacrifice minimal. “Those guys are out there sacrificing their lives,” Sanderson said.

Still Barnett said the division is “proud of what Jenny’s done and we expect more good things from her in the future.”

Sanderson performs analysis on a routine basis on the same Prowler that flew the flag into combat.

She plans to have the flag and the certificate from VMAQ-4 professionally mounted in a shadow box.

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CUTLINE: Gunnery Sergeants Andrew Porter (left) and Mathew Nicoletti of Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Four present Jennifer Sanderson of Naval Air Depot Cherry Point Materials Engineering Division with an American flag and a certificate in recognition of her work for their squadron, while it was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.