COMMANDER, FLEET READINESS CENTERS, NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- Naval Aviation’s command responsible for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aviation assets welcomed Martin Ahmad as its new deputy commander at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland, Sept. 18.

Ahmad will be responsible for Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers’ (COMFRC) 18,000 civilian, military, contractor and industrial personnel across eight Fleet Readiness Centers which provide aircraft, engines, components, support equipment, manufacturing and field team services to the operational Fleet globally with an annual budget of $4.4 billion. He was formerly the principal deputy program manager for the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Program (PMA-290), Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) program office responsible for the P-8A Poseidon’s acquisition and life cycle and the sustainment of the P-3C Orion and EP-3E.  Ahmad replaces Dennis West who recently retired after more than 30 years of service.

COMFRC Commander Rear Adm. Michael Zarkowski said Ahmad’s background in acquisition and in leading a dispersed workforce at a time when new platforms are being introduced to the fleet as legacy aircraft are retired is an asset to the command.  “Within the next decade, almost every type of aircraft Naval Aviation has in its inventory will have transitioned to a new platform,” he said.  “Our focus will shift from acquisition to sustainment.  Mr. Ahmad has extensive experience in both areas.  He is the right fit at the right time for COMFRC.”

Ahmad began his Federal career as an engineering co-operative student at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in the 1980s.  Later, he joined the Naval Air Systems Command as a project team lead for Avionics, Training Systems and Support Equipment in support of naval aircraft and test ranges.  Both positions shaped his leadership approach. “I learned early on that nothing gets done without collaboration and communication,” he said.  “What I learned during my early days has held true every step along the way during my three decade-long career within the naval aviation enterprise.  It is the foundation of everything I do.”

He also said he would draw from his experiences in PMA-290.  “PMA-290 consists of 1,200 people, only a very few of which actually belonged to the organization.  The rest were aligned to competencies,” he said.  “Our ability to accomplish anything required collaboration and cooperation from NAVAIR competencies, resource sponsors, fleet representatives, budget managers, Navy and OSD secretariat acquisition staffs and leaders, and industry partners.  This is the foundation of reliance and mutual cooperation that I grew to appreciate.  The FRC is a very similar environment.”

His vision for COMFRC, he said, is to strengthen business acumen across the command.  Also on his list of priorities are improving COMFRC’s ability to plan maintenance throughput, cultivating relationships with DoD stakeholders and industry partners to address supply support challenges on aircraft and component productions lines, increasing opportunities for career development and improving command climate across all FRC organizations.

“I am excited to be a part of COMFRC and am looking forward to working across the entire team on the challenges and opportunities ahead,” he said.