Cutline

George McCall discusses the drilling process for catapult support rails aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with Rich Valenzuela, Code 6.2.4.3. Photo by Danny McGeehee

Depot engineer named a NAVAIR Fellow;
McCall is first NADEP NI Teammate so honored

By Bill Bartkus
NADEP North Island

NORTH ISLAND - Commander Naval Air Systems Command Vice Adm. Joe Dyer recently named George McCall at Naval Air Depot North Island, a NAVAIR Fellow. McCall, Code 4.8.7, was one of 13 scientists and engineers throughout the NAVAIR Team to be selected. More than 70 candidates were nominated for the prestigious honor.
A Fellow is the second step in NAVAIR’s three-tier Fellows program. Senior engineer or scientist is the first step. The highest level or recognition is NAVAIR Esteemed Fellow. Currently, there are five Esteemed Fellows within the entire NAVAIR Team.
Dyer named McCall and NADEP North Island’s Doug Perl, senior engineers last year.
“I see the program as recognition for people who NAVAIR feels are examples for providing service to the customer, which is the fleet in our case. We (the Fellows) are simply small tips of the iceberg,” McCall said when asked what it means to be honored as a NAVAIR Fellow. “I feel as I have always felt and that we are supported by a number of people who have provided us with the information and support, as well as the cooperation and intelligence that we need to do our jobs. Without them we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.
“It is important for all of us to recognize that the only way to achieve an accomplishment is through the cooperation of everyone in the NAVAIR organization,” he said. “People who have worked with us play a large part in accomplishing the job.”
McCall wasn’t selected for any particular program that he has performed over the years but rather for a series of accomplishments.
McCall is presently working on making corrections to the alignment of the catapults aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
The Rutgers University graduate has been working with NADEP North Island for six years. Before moving to San Diego, he worked at the NADEP in Alameda, Calif., for 21 years. He also worked at the Naval Air Engineering Center in Philadelphia, which is now the Naval Air Warfare Center in Lakehurst, N.J.
According to Robert Hedrick, competency manager, McCall’s selection as a NAVAIR Fellow recognizes his exemplary technical accomplishments and contribution as a mechanical engineer in support of Commander Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet’s Ships Installation Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment related to air systems and program initiatives. “His professionalism, leadership, innovations, and exceptional technical skills have brought widespread improvements to ships installation ALRE systems on all aircraft carriers in the Navy. His innovative approach to resolution of various design deficiencies and cost savings (more than $26 million) has provided unprecedented life cycle cost reductions and improved equipment availability while sustaining the operational readiness of the Pacific Fleet.”
Hedrick, Code 4.8.7, noted that McCall’s managers, coworkers, the fleet and the rest of the ALRE community recognize him as a leading technical expert in his field and for his countless contributions to fleet operational readiness.
McCall received both the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award for his outstanding service and dedication. COMNAVAIRPAC, McCall’s customer, nominated him for both awards.
“Mr. McCall’s many significant contributions and personal accomplishments are truly worthy of special recognition,” Hedrick said.
McCall and the other newly-selected Fellows were formally inducted during a video teleconference ceremony late last month.
Inaugurated two years ago, the Fellows Program is a peer-oriented technical recognition program for NAVAIR’s most experienced and talented engineers and scientists who have made major contributions to naval aviation. The program is sponsored by the Research and Engineering Competency (AIR 4.0) and is open to GS employees from all competencies.