Employee suggestions recognized
By Frank Taormina, NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville Public Affairs Specialist

On December 10, 2002, Capt. Karl E. Yeakel, Commanding Officer, Naval Air (NAVAIR) Depot Jacksonville awarded employees through the Valuable Ideas Save Investments Of NADEP (VISION) Program.

Earl J. Bryant, Jr., aircraft electrician, and Clarence D. Ennis, aircraft electrical worker, earned official recognition for creating a tool used to facilitate the installation of the Permanent Magnet Generator stator. The tool is primarily constructed of excess material and works like a handle, fitting over the drive spline of the generator’s armature. This simple and inexpensive tool allows for quicker and safer installation, thus reducing turn-around-time by nearly 10 percent, and minimizes the potential for physical injury.

Bruce M. Menne was recognized for developing a software program designed to assist quality assurance specialists in day-to-day event management. This new program was developed using Microsoft Excel and allows quality assurance personnel to coordinate daily activities and actions between quality assurance and production shops throughout the Depot.

Ronald M. Olson earned recognition for recommending an alternative solution to the repair or replacement of the camera for the boresight optical alignment set for the F/A-18 and AV-8 aircraft. Olson suggested the Depot manufacture/assemble new cameras using off-the-shelf components supplied by two vendors. This idea significantly reduces overhaul costs and turn-around-time.

Photo caption: (left to right) Bruce Menne, Clarence Ennis, and Earl Bryant Jr., were presented VISION awards by Capt. Karl Yeakel, NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville Commanding Officer.

-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."