NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville employees receive Commander’s Awards

By Daphne Burke, NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville Public Affairs Specialist

On June 27, 2002, Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Vice Adm. Joseph Dyer presented NAVAIR Commander’s Awards in a ceremony that was aired via video teleconference. The NAVAIR Commander’s Awards are presented in recognition of the vital role that teams and teamwork play within NAVAIR. Three NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville employees were presented awards during the ceremony.

The 2001 Commander’s Award for Resources and Affordability Achievement went to the F/A-18E/F Integrated Readiness Support Team. This team is a unique partnership tasked with managing and improving logistics system performance. Fleet benefits include improved material availability through quicker response times, optimal use of transportation, total asset visibility, tools to manage the logistics system, and increased system reliability. This streamlined system will reduce logistics cycle time, manage parts obsolescence, and lower costs. Saving and cost avoidances could reach $129 million over five years. Jerrol Eason, logistics management specialist, and Kenneth Emanuel, legal counsel, were the Jacksonville recipients of this Team award.

The 2001 Commander’s Award for Supporting the Warfighter went to the F402 Harrier Engine Performance Based Assessment Model Team. This team made a tremendous impact on Warfighter readiness, effectiveness, and satisfaction and was instrumental in major process improvements including vibration monitoring methodology and storage and handling of high-cost components. This team directly addressed the Fleet’s need to fill 110 bare firewalls that existed in the F402 Fleet in September 2000. This resulted in no bare firewalls in the Harrier Fleet and spare engines are embarked aboard ships supporting Harrier detachments. Cost savings reached $32 million in 2001. Vern Cooper, planner and estimator, was the Jacksonville recipient of this Team award.

– USN –

Photo by Victor Pitts, NAVAIR Depot Jax Public Affairs Specialist.

Photo caption: Attending the local ceremony were: (L to R) Executive Officer Capt. David Beck, Quality Program Manager Ron Short, Industrial Engineer Tech Ronda Lewis, Planner and Estimator Vern Cooper, and Logistics Management Specialist Jerrol Eason.