By Renee Hatcher
NAWCWD Public Affairs

The commander of the Naval Air Systems Command announced May 4 that Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 (VX-31) located at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division China Lake is one of NAVAIR’s nominees for a Secretary of Defense Field-Level Maintenance Award.

“The competition was extremely tough,” said Vice Adm. David Venlet, NAVAIR commander. “All units should be intensely proud of their contributions to naval aviation and the mission readiness of Naval Air Systems Command and the fleet.”

VX-31 is comprised of an Organizational Maintenance Activity, an Intermediate Maintenance Activity, and a Contractor Maintenance Division. Aircraft maintained by the squadron personnel include four F/A-18A/C/D Hornets, 10 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, four AV-8B Harriers, three HH-1N Helicopters, five AH-1W/Z and UH-1Y helicopters, and one T-39D Sabreliner.

“The backbone of VX-31 is the Maintenance Department,” said Lt. Col. Mark T. Johnson, VX-31 commanding officer. “This accomplished, professional, and cohesive team consists of military personnel, civil servants, and contractors who provide superior organizational and intermediate maintenance support and are actively involved in most every phase of testing and evaluation.”

The mission of VX-31 is to ensure the warfighters have the very best weapons and weapons systems available.

“Throughout the past year, the VX-31 Maintenance Department has made a profound and lasting contribution to the nation’s war fighting capabilities,” Johnson said. “Through perseverance, dedication, professionalism, innovation, and a demonstrated “can-do” attitude, this outstanding maintenance department has met every task and challenge.”

VX-31 now advances in the competition to the Navy level. The next step is the Department of Defense level for consideration as DoD’s "Best of the Best" and ultimately being named the annual Secretary of Defense Phoenix Award winner. The Phoenix Award is presented to outstanding field-level maintenance units in recognition of the extended service life given to equipment and weapon systems by sustained quality maintenance and the rejuvenation of equipment through extraordinary maintenance programs.

“To all at NAVAIR who have worked toward maintenance excellence, I applaud your initiative, professionalism and resourcefulness in enhancing mission readiness,” Venlet said. “I challenge each of you to continue working toward improving naval aviation and personnel readiness through maintenance excellence.”

Photo by Michael McGinnis
Maintenance personnel assigned to VX-31 at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division China Lake, Calif. perform a pre-flight inspection of this F/A-18 Hornet with the pilot before a test flight.