By Vicky Falcón
NAVAIR Public Affairs

Stationed with his fleet squadron at North Island, Calif., the only thing AMC Brett Keltz associated with the Naval Aviation Systems Command (NAVAIR) was that it was the general point of contact for aviation.

"What do they do? It was a mystery to me," said Keltz, who presently coordinates training for the MH60S within NAVAIR's Rotary Wing Test Squadron at Patuxent River, Md.

Since coming to Pax River nearly three years ago, Keltz has learned a thing or two about NAVAIR.

He says he still is not fully aware of all of the processes used within NAVAIR, but now he does have a better understanding of one of the organization's products. "NAVAIR ensures the safest, most efficient use of fleet aircraft," he explained. "We identify all the risks here, and then mitigate them."

Ensuring safety for all personnel is the driving force behind the test and evaluation environment within NAVAIR. Something Keltz began to realize shortly after his arrival at Rotary Wing.

"I used to look at the way an aircraft was configured, and ask myself, 'Why?' Why did they make it that way," Keltz said. "Now I say, 'Oh yeah, that's why.'"

Keltz uses the seat configuration within a H46 as an example. "I always wondered why they took two passenger seats out and hung the inflatable raft there instead," he said. "Now I know that raft can't be on the floor where it could be damaged. It all comes down to safety."

Keltz joined the Navy in 1986 as an opportunity to see more of the world than the small-town of Wooster, Ohio, where he grew up. According to Keltz, that decision has changed his life.

"It's given me direction," he explains. "There is always something to work towards - goals to achieve."

Keltz appreciates his position of leadership and the ability to positively influence others. "I may be able to help a younger guy succeed," he says.

"As a prior H-46 Crew Chief, I can use my technical expertise and fleet experience to better resolve issues on the MH60," he said.

An example of how NAVAIR uses that experience to continue to provide support for the fleet involves cabin configuration evaluations for the MH60S. Keltz and his team have been testing seating and packing arrangements for the aircraft.

"Certain configurations are not safe for the crew in case of a crash," he said. "We tested fleet configurations for head-strike and e-gress hazards and documented our results."

"Out on the fleet you're so busy maintaining aircraft and performing your mission that you don't have time to think about it (different configurations)," Keltz said. The fully integrated support provided by NAVAIR ensures those missions continue to run efficiently - and securely. "We are here to work out those details and ensure everyone's safety."

"When I was in the fleet, I complained about the strict procedures," Keltz said. "Now I know those procedures save lives. NAVAIR does a real good job identifying risks and hazards."

Keltz looks forward to heading back to the fleet in a couple years. "This is a good experience here. I know now there is a lot more to NAVAIR than paperwork."

For Keltz the mystery has been solved. "It all comes down to saving lives."

Photo by Vicky Falcón, NAVAIR Public Affairs
(for a higher resolution photograph, please call 301-757-5116)

Caption: AMC Brett Keltz removes a seat from a MH60S as part of ongoing interior configuration testing for the helicopter.