NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC) welcomed a new leader Aug. 26 to the organization responsible for maintenance, repair and overhaul of Naval and Marine Corps aviation assets.

In addition to his new role with COMFRC, Rear Adm. Paul Sohl also will serve as the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) assistant commander for Logistics and Industrial Operations.

Sohl’s previous assignment was as commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) assistant commander for Test and Evaluation, both based at China Lake and Point Mugu, Calif. He replaces Rear Adm. CJ Jaynes, who was named program executive officer for Air Anti-Submarine, Assault and Special Mission Programs, or PEO(A), in July 2013.

“I’m honored to be back in the COMFRC family,” Sohl said. “This is a great organization with a lot of talented and dedicated people, and I look forward to serving with you.”

Sohl formerly led FRC Southeast in Jacksonville, Fla. His other commands included the Naval Test Wing Pacific in Point Mugu, Calif., and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Md.

A native of Waterloo, Iowa, Sohl is a 1985 graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering. He holds a master’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Stanford University. Sohl received his commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps and was designated a naval aviator in 1988.

His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Headquartered at NAS Patuxent River, COMFRC oversees eight Fleet Readiness Centers with subordinate headquarters locations on the U.S. East and West coasts and in Japan. COMFRC conducts maintenance, repair and overhaul of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, engines, components and support equipment.  Each year, about 6,500 Sailors and Marines, along with more than 9,500 depot artisans at the FRCs overhaul and repair nearly 1,000 aircraft, thousands of engines and several hundred thousand components valued at approximately $4 billion.