Naval Air Depot Jacksonville (NADEP JAX) receives ISO 9001:2000 certification
By Susan Brink, NADEP Public Affairs Specialist

On November 30, 2001, the Naval Air Depot (NADEP) Jacksonville, Florida, became ISO 9001:2000 certified. This culminates two and a half years of hard work by the entire NADEP team. The certification was achieved through independent certification of NADEP’s ten Strategic Business Units, followed by the overall NADEP wide audit in areas not previously covered. ISO 9000 certification is a major accomplishment for any industrial facility. ISO 9000 certification verifies that NADEP JAX is customer driven, process focused and that the employees truly know their business. It also demonstrates NADEP’s commitment to doing every job right the first time, every time, and continually improving their performance in support of the warfighter. At NADEP JAX “Quality Comes First.” The ISO 9000 certification scope includes aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul, and modification services of military aircraft, engines, aeronautical components and electrical systems including maintenance, repair, engineering, manufacturing, inspection, testing, logistics, design, analysis and support.

NADEP JAX is the first command in NAVAIR and the Department of Defense to receive a comprehensive ISO 9001:2000 certification. Commander Ron Bethmann, Director of Quality and ISO 9000 Director, stated, “NADEP has always been a very capable organization, but the true potential of what this team of 3,700 dedicated Americans can do has not been fully realized. I believe earning the ISO 9000 certification proves to the world and most importantly, our customer, that the Depot is committed to being the best in the business and the best is yet to come.” Captain Christopher Roum, Commanding Officer of NADEP, states “ the major benefit of incorporating the requirements of ISO 9000 is gaining control of our processes, eliminating non value added processes and providing consistency and standardization throughout the plant.” Petty Officer Christopher Floyd, NADEP’s Fleet Liaison Customer Service Representative said, “ISO 9000 has helped us focus on customer service and improve our ability to support the fleet. For example, changes in our procedures have helped streamline our ability to respond to fleet requests regarding the status of component repairs.”

In 1998, when NADEP began pursuing ISO 9000 certification, their goal was to transition their management philosophy to a recognized international standard. To remain a leader in the defense maintenance repair and overhaul business, the Depot realized they needed to reach for this business accreditation program and attain certification in all of their Strategic Business Units to improve performance and bring international recognition to NADEP JAX.

Over the past two and one-half years, the Depot has made tremendous accomplishments and improvements while working to create a facility that focuses on continuous improvement through employee empowerment and involvement. This process has allowed the workforce to focus on the process, make improvements and standardize procedures so that they perform tasks the same way each time. Clearly documented, process focused procedures ensure NADEP’s ability to provide consistent and repeatable performance. One of those processes includes a robust and effective continuous improvement program that empowers all employees to effect change and develop corrective and preventive action plans.

ISO 9000 is a never-ending process with continuous upgrades and audits that will regularly occur throughout the Depot. NADEP JAX is committed to providing a full range of the highest quality maintenance, engineering and logistic support services to the fleet at a competitive price.

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