NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — A naval employee with Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic (FRCMA) was recognized  March 11 as the Center’s 2012 Detachment Patuxent River Civilian of the Year.

FRCMA Commanding Officer Capt. Michael Zarkowski presented Robert Wagner, a Powered Support Systems repairer, with the award at a ceremony in Hanger 301 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River.  Though employed at the center for less than two years, FRCMA Pax River Maintenance Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Michael Windom, praised Wagner’s effort.

“His hard work and selfless dedication to his division’s tasking and maintenance of 1,287 pieces of aircraft ground support equipment valued at more than $43 million was instrumental in supporting critical Naval Test Wing Atlantic activities,” Windom said.

Wagner was cited for helping his division to achieve a 95.3 percent equipment availability rate on all support equipment, while maintaining an average three-day turnaround time to meet customer demands.

Shortly after graduating high school, Wagner joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served 25 years before retiring in 2011. He attained the rank of master sergeant, specializing in aerospace ground equipment maintenance.

In his spare time, Wagner volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and local animal shelters.  He is also an active member of the Parent Teacher Association supporting his children’s elementary school.

Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic, headquartered in Oceana, Va., is one of eight centers worldwide responsible for maintaining, repairing and overhauling Navy aircraft. The Center has detachments at Patuxent River, New Orleans, Norfolk, Va., and Washington DC.