John Hagensieker, a NAVAIR 3.7 technical representative assigned to Naval Air Technical Data and Engineering Service Command, Detachment Iwakuni, Japan was awarded a Secretary of Navy Environmental Quality Award April 30.

Hagensieker was the first non-environmental specialist to receive this cabinet-level award. He earned the award for his efforts in reducing harmful air emissions while applying greater volumes of paint with less waste through the use of a high volume, low pressure paint system (HVLP). The new process reduced costs for a total annual savings of more than $52,000.

"By implementing the use of HVLP … the positive environmental impact and cost reduction really resulted in a win-win situation for both NATEC and MCAS Iwakuni," Hagensieker said.

Hagensieker discovered the HVLP system while doing research for a better way to apply paint to surfaces and accepted responsibility as trainer-operator of the paint system. The HVLP system applies more paint through “increased transfer effectiveness." Overall less paint used means less wasted spray, and a decrease in annual paint usage and hazardous disposal costs.

"To receive recognition from another government agency that NATEC doesn't routinely interact with was an extremely gratifying experience and highlights the one-team, one-mission concept effectively," Hagensieker said.

Photo caption
The Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan Environmental Division accepts a Secretary of Navy Environmental Quality Award. Pictured from left are H.T. Johnson assistant secretary of the Navy; Marine Corps Maj. Richard Rutter, comptroller; Robert Simonson, environmental division director; John Hagensieker, NAVAIR 3.7 technical representative; James Lessard, environmental protection specialist; Ryan Leming, solid waste and recycling program; Vice Adm. George P. Nanos, commander of the Naval Sea Systems Command; and Paul C. Hubbell, assistant deputy commandant for Installations and Logistics.