In 1980, when Randy Powell was digging ditches on Naval Air Station Patuxent River, he had no idea that a couple decades later he would be responsible for a $500 million budget and an international fleet of strike-fighter aircraft.

Powell, a 38-year U.S. Navy civilian, was presented the Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service Award on March 13 in recognition of his efforts in the international sale and sustainment of F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet aircraft.

The award honors Department of the Navy civilian employees for meritorious service or contributions resulting in high value or benefits for the Navy or the Marine Corps. It is the third highest Navy civilian award, ranking behind the Distinguished Civilian Service Award and the Superior Civilian Service Award.

Powell received the honor for his work as the F/A-18 International Business and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) manager, which resulted in the establishment and support of 147 separate international sales cases, totaling $7.66 billion in foreign revenue into the U.S. industrial base, said Capt. Frank Morley, program manager for the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program (PMA-265).

The actual cost of new aircraft for the United States is reduced with the inclusion of aircraft sales to international partners. Through Powell’s consistent engagement and global cooperation initiatives, he generated cost-sharing opportunities that resulted in U.S. aircraft procurement savings exceeding $1 billion over the course of his FMS career, Morley said.

“The success of my teams is due to the integrity, the honesty, the trust and the relationships between the U.S. Navy and the international partners,” Powell said. “We give them the news -- whether it’s good news or bad news -- but we’re always honest with them. It’s all based on relationships.”

With an annual budget of $574.48 million, Powell is responsible for the full life cycle support and sustainment of the F/A-18 fleets of seven nations, comprising 399 F/A-18 Hornets and 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets. In 2011, Powell oversaw the $2.4 billion public sale of 24 Super Hornets to Australia, an agreement which includes the aircraft and initial operating support.

Powell said he credits the hard work of his team for the successes of the F/A-18 and EA-18G international business efforts.

“It takes a unique type of individual to be able to work the international programs, with all the sacrifices required in our personal and family lives to spend the time on the road required,” Powell said.

As FMS program manager, Powell leads a cross-competency, geographically dispersed team of 457 military, government service and contract support personnel. He developed cohesive working relationships among the militaries and embassies of Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland.

“As PMA-265’s subject-matter expert for all international F/A-18 business issues, Randy is the driving force behind the team’s many accomplishments,” Morley said. “His extensive knowledge and understanding of naval aviation maintenance programs, combined with an infectious demand for excellence ensured that these FMS programs were successful while meeting critical milestones.”