By Helen L. Huntley

NAVAIR China Lake, Calif.--Earlier this month three employees from NAVAIR China Lake Weapons Division received plaques at Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in recognition for their support for the Manpower Initiative Program.

The recipients — Roger Crane, technical advisor to the commander of the 412th Test Wing; Jim Ford, chief of the Subsystems Integration Branch; and Tracy Redd, chief of the Flight Systems Integrations Division — have been an integral part of the unusual interservice detail and cooperative effort between Edwards and China Lake.

The program, known as the “China Lake Connection,” was created in 1991 when downsizing forced some employees to look for job alternatives. “Charlie van Norman, who was the technical advisor to the commander of the 412th Test Wing, decided there must be a way we can get people from China Lake that weren’t being used,” Ford recalled. “He thought we ought to be able to make an agreement to get China Lake people on loan. So, he started talking to people at China Lake.”

A senior engineering technician, George Teate, at China Lake was asked to work out the details. “George had done a lot of joint Air Force and Navy work, so he understood their processes,” recalled Susan Read, who served as the program’s administrative officer at that time. “We asked for resumes from China Lake and Point Mugu people interested in working details for the Air Force. They did not necessarily have to be on downtime, but the program targeted those folks who were unfunded. Those who were funded but wished to apply could do so and, when approved, made it possible for an unfunded employee with applicable skills to backfill their position.”

About 40 employees sent resumes, which was followed by interviews by the Air Force. During the first round, 12 people were placed in engineering, the 412th Test Wing, hardware and software installation and development and one person as an office manager. Since 1991, more than 50 Weapons Division employees have been placed in jobs at EAFB.

“Because we are government employees who have clearances, we can respond more quickly than through the usual Human Resources process. This is a detail. There’s no paperwork. The Air Force sends a MIPR,” Eiband explained. A MIPR is a Military Interdepartmental Procurement Request to cover the employee’s salary.

The program began as a memorandum of agreement to be renegotiated annually, but is now an indefinite Support Agreement DD Form 1144. “The basis of the program is no longer annually at risk,” Eiband said. “Either side can withdraw when they want with notice.”

Ford, Redd and Crane will retire in January 2003. “Tracy and I feel we have made a difference. We would like to see the program continue,” Ford said. “It’s been very satisfying and very fruitful.”

Caption: NAVAIR China Lake recipients Tracey Redd, left, and Jim Ford, right, are joined by Head of the Manpower Initiative Program Dave Elband at Edwards Air Force Base in early November. Redd is chief of the Flight Systems Integration Division and Ford, chief of the Subsystems Integration Division. Roger Crane, technical advisor to the commander of the 412th Test Wing, is not pictured.