Bronze Hammer Award
Navy Lakehurst wins Chief of Naval Operations Award for Self-Improvements

LAKEHURST, NJ – NAVAIR Lakehurst has been named the recipient of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Self-Help Bronze Hammer Award. This award is given annually to the naval base that demonstrates the most significant progress in self-help improvements and monetary savings. Judging for the award is based on the quality and ingenuity of the self-help projects at each base throughout the Navy.

Chief Boatswain’s Mate Leonard Smith is the Self-Help Division Chief working out of the Public Works Department at Lakehurst. His team of 13 enlisted military members design, review and manage all the construction and repair self-help projects at the base. Their work this year included over thirty projects, utilizing over $247,000 and over 24,000 manhours of labor. Some of the projects completed were upgrades to the serving line at the Galley, improvements to the Bachelor Quarters, installing recycling equipment, installing solar lighting to parking lots, constructing front gate signs and constructing a wind barrier. The total savings realized by these projects are over $1.2 million.

According to Smith, “Our goal is to take on projects that will enhance both the living and working conditions of the Navy personnel at Lakehurst. By using the skills and dedication of the folks in our Self-Help Division, we have shown significant cost savings and made some great improvements around the base.”

This is the second year in a row that Lakehurst has won this most coveted Navy award. It is testament to the pride and dedication the sailors have in the installation and in their work

-NAVAIR-