Two NADEP Cherry Point mechanical engineers from the depot’s Air Vehicle Department were honored recently at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Air Vehicle Engineering Department Achievement Awards ceremony held in San Diego, Calif. Tom Manney won his award in the Professional Category, and Tommy Sadler was a winner in the Apprentice Category.

In this first year of the awards, NAVAIR had 56 nominees from six of its eight sites. More than 875 non-supervisory employees were eligible for nomination. Awards in the Professional Category go to Air Vehicle employees with more than three years of work experience in the field, while Apprentice Category awards go to those with three or fewer years of experience.

“I was surprised and very glad to receive the award,” Sadler said. “I appreciate that my supervisors recognized me for the work I do, and this award will help in my career. ”

While Manney is involved with programs pertaining to the H-53 helicopter, Sadler, an H-46 Rotors and Drive Systems Engineer, is involved with a number of different programs having to do with dynamic components on the H-46.

“I deal with anything that moves on the aircraft,” Sadler said.

The awards recognize the employees’ achievements at the depot in 2001 and illustrate how well their behavior reflects NAVAIR’s approach of “Keeping the Promise” to the Warfighter. Winners were selected on the basis of personal attributes such as professional demeanor, integrity, creativity, perseverance, competence, motivation, dedication, and team orientation.

Photo 1: Tommy Sadler stands next to an H-46 Rotary Wing Head Assembly in the NADEP H-46 Hangar. (Photo by Gary Rice)

Photo 2: In the NADEP H-53 Sheet Metal Shop, Tom Manney (left) discusses work being done in the depot’s Engine Air Particle Separator conversion project with Sheet Metal Mechanic Johnnie Brimmer. (Photo by Gary Rice)