The significance of receiving a “Bravo Zulu” (Navy shorthand for “outstanding job, much appreciated) from fleet customers for a job well done resonates loudly with NAVAIR’s Maritime Surveillance Aircraft program, (PMA-290) personnel.

Recently, fleet customers cited the efforts of six PMA-290 and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division workers in three separate Bravo Zulu messages. The messages refer to the work the PMA-290 P-3C aircraft improvement program team performed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Providing exceptional service to forward deployed P-3C squadrons entailed sending AIP team members to the western Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf, where they installed upgrades and critical enhancements, made expeditious repairs to deployed P-3C AIP aircraft, and conducted vital training. Their efforts gave the fleet remarkable advantages in performing their crucial role during the OIF conflict.

The P-3C AIP has enhancements that expand upon the platform’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and change the way the aircraft can be employed in a variety of roles. AIP provides the P-3C platform with enhanced anti-submarine capabilities and anti-surface warfare improvements that are also valuable tools in reconnaissance and surveillance.

Radar and electro-optical sensors, coupled with the tactical common data link and the FM line of sight capability upgrade, merge capabilities on a single platform that can stay on station for extended periods of time, keeping commanders and troops alike apprised of targets and activities on the ground. Since 1997, the fleet has taken delivery of 56 P-3C AIP aircraft.

According to Mark VanReken, P-3C AIP assistant program manager for logistics, “Our goal was to get these products and services to the Warfighter as soon as possible. The team’s focus is to provide the right tools and support, he continues, this support is an ongoing effort, when the phone rings, the team is ready to deploy to serve the fleet’s needs. The flow of information between the fleet squadrons and the AIP team is constant…we get and return emails and calls every day.”

“The effectiveness of these upgrades and the associated training cannot be overstated,” one of the BZ messages reads, “Your efforts have made a significant difference to our forces in the air and on the ground.” This language praising the efforts of six AIP teammates is reflected throughout the three messages. The participants cited in the messages include VanReken, CDR Jim Hoke, P-3C AIP deputy program manager, Jack Culver, lead AIP communications engineer, Rich Egan, lead AIP radar engineer, Tim Feeney, avionics systems project engineer, and Chuck Maxcy, MSA weapons engineer.

The team expressed pride in the fleet service they provided during their recent participation in the OIF war. “It was a great feeling”, remarked Egan, “I got a lot of satisfaction knowing I was helping the fleet and providing them with not just a better capability, but a new one.” Egan was responsible for modifying a radar system in the forward theatre of operations providing a new capability to image ground, ships and surface targets.

According to the BZ messages, the effort resulted in a huge reliability improvement over the old system. The PMA-290 AIP team provided the best and timeliest service possible, to not only meet but also exceed the fleet’s needs.

NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technology through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts. From aircraft and weapons development to carrier launch and recovery; from sensors to real-time communications to precision targeting; from aircraft and weapons sustainment to state-of-the-art training; NAVAIR provides dominant combat effects and matchless capabilities to the American warfighter.

(For more information on this release, call Joan Holland at 301-342-0207.)