NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville military recognized
By Susan Brink, NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville Public Affairs Specialist

On October 16, 2002, Commanding Officer (CO) Capt. Karl E. Yeakel, Naval Air Depot Jacksonville (NAVAIR Depot Jax), recognized several active-duty members. As Executive Officer Capt. David J. Beck read several citations, the CO congratulated them for their past and present accomplishments.

Letters of Appreciation (LOA) were presented to Cmdr. Ron Bethmann, Cmdr. Timothy Matthews, Cmdr. Christopher Rice, Lt. Cmdr. Dennis Sacha, Lt. Cmdr JoAnn Walker, Lt. Cmdr. (s) Darren Sweet, Lt. Mike Kilmurray, AMC Randy Coates, AOC Brian Flinn, and AMC Jerry Freeze for their professionalism and attention to detail while serving as tour guides and as a great source of information for the visitors from the First Coast Manufacturers Association. The CO congratulated them on their knowledge and dedicated efforts that resulted in an impressive display of the capabilities of the Depot. LOAs were also presented to AFCM John Bandor, AK3 Wilburto Flores, and SK2 Latessa Roby for their contributions to the First Coast Manufacturers Association tour and brief.

SK2 Andrew Storms and AK2 Malcolm Jeffcoat received LOAs for providing employees transportation to the 2002 Combined Federal Campaign Kick-off held at the VP-30 Auditorium.

LOAs were presented to Cmdr. Christopher Rice and Lt. Cmdr. JoAnn Walker for their professionalism and attention to detail as a team member supporting Project Golden Wing’s (PGW) Information Exchange. This event gave Depot employees the opportunity to see how the new alignment and logo fit into each work area. The PGW Team was on hand to answer questions while the NAVAIR One video was presented on a big screen television showing everyone how all nine NAVAIR sites roll up into one NAVAIR Team.

Certificates of Appreciation from Rear Admiral Stephen Heilman, Assistant Commander for Aviation Depots, were presented to IT1 Carolyn Hodges, AK1 Douglas Barth, SK2 Latessa Roby, and SK2 Andrew Storms for their dedication and support in providing courier service to Naval Air Station Pensacola. These sailors delivered J52 oil samples to the Joint Oil Analysis Program lab throughout the week and weekends for engineers to obtain test lab results in a timely manner. Their efforts were key for the Depot to complete production during the month of August, setting unprecedented records from previous months averages.

The Armed Forces Reserve Medal was presented to SK1 Robert Orton, ETC David Fujioka, SK1 Eugene Reader, and IT1 Carolyn Hodges for performing 10 years of honorable service within a period of 12 consecutive years in the Naval Reserve.

The Award of the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal was presented to SK1 Robert Orton for outstanding public services performed with Boy Scouts of America Troop 289 in Aurora, Colo. for the period of 15 September 1994 to 01 May 2002. The CO congratulated him on his exemplary leadership in the community and dedication and mentorship to the scouts have shown outstanding examples for shipmates and reflect great credit upon him and uphold the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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The Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal was presented to Lt. Cmdr. Terry Hart for professional achievement as the Special Projects Officer from July to August 2002. Hart meticulously planned and coordinated three high profile events that brought positive recognition and improved morale to NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville. The CO congratulated Hart’s uncommon attention to detail and steadfast devotion to duty.

The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal was presented to Lt. Cmdr. Donald Simmons for meritorious service while serving as Assistant Program Manager for Systems Engineering, Joint Direct Attack Munitions and In Service Weapons, Conventional Strike Weapons Program Office, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation, Patuxent River, Md. From May 1999 to May 2002. Simmons’ outstanding leadership was directly responsible for the successful development, testing, and operational deployment of the Joint direct Attack Munitions MK-84/BLU-109 and MK-93 variants well ahead of schedule.

AFCM John Bandor presented a “Paint the Town” plaque to Capt. Karl Yeakel which read, The USO/Housing Partnership of Jacksonville recognizes Naval Air Depot Jacksonville for their appreciation and support of Paint the Town during Rehab Week, May 4-11, 2002. The CO thanked all of the volunteers who represented the Command during this annual event.

Fairwell was bid to YN1 Larry Brown along with the presentation of the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Brown provided meritorious service as the Command Military Services, Command Career Counselor, Sponsor Coordinator, and Fleet Training Coordinator at Naval Air Depot, Jacksonville, from January 2001 to November 2002. Brown’s managerial ability, personal initiative, and unswerving devotion to duty reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United Stated Naval Service.

– USN –

"NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technology through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts. From professional training to carrier launch; from sensor data to precision targeting; from aircraft and weapons development to successful deployment; from real-time communication to aircraft recovery NAVAIR provides dominant combat effects and matchless capabilities to the American warfighter."