Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.  – A team from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Patuxent River and a logistics manager from Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD), Orlando, Florida, are the recipients of the 2016 Michael G. Simodejka Awards for excellence in logistics. The recipients were honored here Aug. 24 in a ceremony that was also seen via video-teleconference at Pax and Orlando.

Gladys Porch, deputy assistant program manager logistics, NAWCTSD, was named the “Outstanding Logistics Manager of the Year.”

Porch developed and implemented a range of process improvements in support of the procurement of Navy and Marine Corps Integrated Training Solutions. Her efforts resulted in significantly increasing affordability and supportability for integrating Live/Virtual/ Constructive (L/V/C) capabilities and common training environment solutions.

The Organic Maintenance Capability Assessment (OMCA) Team from Pax River received the “Outstanding Logistics Team of the Year” award.

The team sought ways to improve MH-60 Seahawk fleet readiness and effectiveness by eliminating or mitigating Cost per Flying Hour (CPFH) drivers. Members focused on reducing Flying Hour Program (FHP) costs, setting a stable baseline for current and future year operations and support costs and identifying future cost-savings and/or cost avoidance opportunities.

Using funds provided by the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV), the team developed a three-phased approach.  Phase 1 identified the top Aviation Depot-level Repairable (AVDLR) cost drivers with existing Intermediate-level maintenance capability.  Phase 2 assessed support equipment capability and established a "kill chain" for each repairable component. Phase 3 provided future OMCA options including organizational and intermediate-level troubleshooting analysis and divestiture of unnecessary resources.

Members of the team, led by Woodrow Payton, product support manager (PSM), are Aviation Electronics Technician Chief Joel Brown, Emily Burghardt, Derek Enochs, Susan Gallagher, Lewis Haddle, Aircraft Structural Mechanic Chief Joshua Laird, Lt. James Magin, Gene Pickels and Raymond Roberson.

The awards are given annually in memory of Simodejka, who is credited with establishing the first logistics department at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and was the first civilian director of the logistics competency for Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) in 1997. He and six other NAVAIR employees were killed in an August 2000 plane crash while traveling to Pax River from Lakehurst.

As she has done every year, Simodejka’s widow, Pat, was on hand, along with her two children and four grandchildren, to honor the award recipients and to celebrate her husband’s legacy.

"I am grateful that this award continues to happen and that Michael's legacy will not be forgotten," said Simodejka. "He loved his country and was proud of his team and his work. He believed you should try new things. Be daring and brave and don't give into failure. And, most importantly, to cherish family."

This year, four individuals and five teams were nominated. Christopher Reymann, director of logistics, NAVAIR Lakehurst, served as the ceremony’s emcee.

Each awardee received an individual plaque, and their names will be engraved on plaques in the lobbies of Building 596 at Lakehurst and Building 516 at Patuxent River.