NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville celebrates awards and AS9100 certification

By Daphne Burke, Naval Air Depot Jacksonville Public Affairs Specialist

Naval Air Depot Jacksonville (NAVAIR Depot Jax) celebrated the winning of three major safety awards [the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) FY01 Award for Achievement in Safety Ashore for a Large Industrial Activity, the NAVAIR 2001Aviation Safety Award, and the Chief of Naval Operations 2001 Aviation Safety Award] and the recent achievement of AS9100 certification in a ceremony held August 28 in Hangar 117. Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment) H. T. Johnson presented the SECNAV Award. Assistant Commander for Aviation Depots Rear Adm. Stephen Heilman presented the NAVAIR and CNO aviation safety awards. Andre Forcier and Fred Becker from Intertek, the AS9100 certifying authorities, presented the official AS9100 certification.

“The work performed at the Naval Air Depot Jacksonville is complex, challenging, rewarding, and absolutely crucial to the defense of our nation. When it comes to safety, our work can never be done …” said Commanding Officer Capt. Karl Yeakel during the ceremony. NAVAIR Depot Jax continues to ensure safety is a fundamental part of its everyday business. In FY01 the Depot reported that total mishaps were down 13 percent, lost workday mishaps were down 4 percent, days lost to injuries were down 14 percent, back injuries were down 42 percent, and days lost due to back injuries alone were down 29 percent. The Depot’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Director, Chris Williamson remarked, “A safe operating environment is as much a physical reality as it is an attitude, and maintaining such a posture typifies the best of a team effort.”

NAVAIR Depot Jax’s selection as the winner of the 2001 CNO Aviation Safety Award and the NAVAIR Aviation Safety Award was a major milestone for the command, as this is the third consecutive year that it has been presented these prestigious awards. Capt. Karl E. Yeakel, Commanding Officer, NAVAIR Depot Jax, told Depot personnel, “I couldn’t be more proud of all of you! This is a very first in the history of a NAVAIR facility to win the CNO and NAVAIR Aviation Safety award three consecutive times.” The Aviation Safety Award recognizes the Depot’s commitment to professionalism, solid leadership and competent risk management, which leads to safe and effective operations in the area of Naval Aviation Safety. NADEP Jax closed the year 2001 with zero flight related or aviation ground mishaps for Class A, B, or C flight, bringing their record to 34 years and 26,338 hours of class A/B mishap free flying.

In November last year, the Depot became ISO 9000 certified, and now, only eight months later, it has achieved AS9100 certification, the Quality Systems Aerospace Model for Quality Assurance in Design, Development, Production, Installation, and Servicing. AS9100 was developed using the ISO9001, AS9100, and EN9000-1, and builds upon their requirements to produce a globally-harmonized standard that meets the requirements of aerospace companies worldwide. This certification is a noteworthy accomplishment because it places this Depot into an elite category. AS9100 certification is a symbol of excellence that carries with it a promise of quality. The Depot is the first Navy command to ever achieve AS9100 certification.

Distinguished guests included Congressman Ander Crenshaw, Congresswoman Corinne Brown, Congressman Cliff Stearns, and several other community leaders from the Jacksonville area.

Photo by Victor Pitts, Public Affairs Specialist.

Photo caption for Presentation of colors:
Standing left to right: As the colors are paraded at the start of the ceremony, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment) H.T. Johnson places his hand over his heart, and Assistant Commander for Aviation Depots Rear Adm. Stephen Heilman, Commanding Officer Capt. Karl Yeakel, and Command Master Chief AFCM John Bandor salute.

Photo caption for raising the SECNAV flag: Depot personnel watch as AM1 Alfonso Vasquez raises the Secretary of the Navy flag in the front of Building 101. As the winner of the SECNAV Safety Ashore Award, the Depot is authorized to fly the SECNAV flag until April 30, 2003.

Photo caption for cake cutting: Standing left to right: Assistant Commander for Aviation Depots Rear Adm. Stephen Heilman, Commanding Officer Capt. Karl Yeakel, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Installations and Envrionment) H.T. Johnson, Congresswoman Corinne Brown, Congressman Ander Crenshaw, and Congressman Cliff Stearns cut the cermonial cake following the ceremony.

Video footage available upon request.

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