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

On August 2, 2002, Commanding Officer (CO) Capt. Karl E. Yeakel, Naval Air Depot Jacksonville (NAVAIR Depot Jax), recognized several of the Depot’s active-duty military members. As Executive Officer Capt. David J. Beck read several citations, the CO congratulated all of the recipients recognized for their past and present accomplishments.

The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (NCM) End of Tour (EOT) was presented to ADCS Toby Hutchens for meritorious service while serving as the Maintenance Control Supervisor, Flight Check Operations, Naval Air Depot Jacksonville, Fla. from May 2000 to October 2002. Hutchens was recognized as advocating the highest Safe for Flight standards, which were significant for Naval Air Depot’s third consecutive Chief of Naval Operations and Naval Air Systems Command Safety Awards, and the first Secretary of the Navy Large Industry Safety Award for 2001.

Capt. Yeakel also took this opportunity to welcome eight new military members to the Depot. Among them were four newly assigned active-duty staff members: Lt. Cdr. Don Simmons, AMC Jerry Freeze, AMC John Moody, and AMC Richard Polinsky. Four of the eight sailors are Active Duty for Special Work reservists who are assigned in “hard-to-fill” positions throughout the Depot. They are IT1 Carolyn Hodges, AZ2 Onre Houston, SK2 Andrew Storms, and AK3 Charlene D’Andrade.

During the ceremony, Capt. Yeakel presented four plaques to members leaving the Depot. Fair wells included Lt. Cmdr. Mike Garland, Lt. Cmdr. Louis Vanleer, Lt. j.g. Dave Littleton, and ADCS Toby Hutchens recognizing the contributions they made to the Depot.

Separate congratulations went out to Lt. Cmdr. (sel) Sweet and ETC (sel) Fujioka for their promotion selections.

– USN –