NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, NORFOLK, Va. — It appears that being the best of the best comes easy for Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic (FRCMA).

For the second time in eight years, FRCMA detachment Norfolk, Virginia, has been named the AIRSpeed Site of the Year.

Rear Adm. Paul Sohl, Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC), and assistant commander for Logistics and Industrial Operations (AIR 6.0), presented the award to FRCMA detachment Norfolk, which recognizes excellence in continuous process improvement, during a ceremony there Aug. 6.

"AIRSpeed is the heart of what Fleet Readiness Centers do. Your outstanding performance during this past Aviation Maintenance Inspection and dramatic reduction in customer wait-time has been truly remarkable," Sohl said. “This group has set a standard for the rest of the Fleet Readiness Centers in supporting the fleet by performing top maintenance and support for our aircraft.”

Specifically, the site was able to standardize and streamline the processes and procedures associated with the time it took to drop off and pick up Aviation Life Support System (ALSS) gear, which reduced customer wait time by an average of two hours.

The group also improved the work center's layout and eliminated redundant processes for parachute inspections, which enabled FRCMA to reduce inspection times by 40 minutes and reduce the distance maintainers traveled by 235 feet per parachute.

"Hearing that one of FRCMA's activities was once again chosen as the AIRSpeed Site of the Year award winner was outstanding news that really makes the senior leadership here extremely proud and happy to be a part of this organization,” said Capt. Joseph Rodriguez, FRCMA’s commanding officer. “Throughout FRCMA, we take pride in innovative thinking and fostering a culture of process improvement. Through dedication and hard work, FRCMA Detachment Norfolk once again made significant strides in improving the way we do business, and ultimately improving our service to the fleet."

Overall, FRCMA was able to realize a cost avoidance of $7.4 million.

“Receiving the AIRSpeed Site of the Year award is justification of the dedication and hard work that goes on every day within the command,” said Cmdr. Brett Bishop, the officer in charge and maintenance officer at FRCMA detachment Norfolk who received the award on the center’s behalf.