Point of Contact: Nancy L. Crook, Public Affairs Division Director Release No. 07-15
(904) 542-3168, extension 161
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11 June 2007

Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Mayport Nominated for SECDEF 2007 Maintenance Award
By CWO3 Stephen Waldrop

The Chief of Naval Operations announced May 21, that Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE), Mayport, is one of two Navy field level nominees for this year’s 2007 Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Maintenance Award. FRCSE Mayport will represent the small unit command which is comprised of 25 to 300 personnel and will go on to a final selection that will be held Nov 15, in Orlando, Florida. The ultimate Phoenix Award winner will be selected from similar inputs from all services in the small, medium, or large unit level winners and will be named as the “Best of the Best.” The SECDEF Maintenance Award annually recognizes outstanding field-level maintenance units for their effort to extended service life given to equipment and weapons systems by sustained quality maintenance and the rejuvenation of equipment through extraordinary maintenance programs.

“Throughout the past year, FRCSE Mayport made a profound and lasting contribution to the Nation’s war fighting capabilities,” said Cmdr. Graham Guiler, officer-in-charge, “This accomplished, professional, and cohesive team of military and civilian personnel provided superior intermediate level maintenance support by successfully adapting AIRSpeed practices, further increasing efficiency and providing cost-wise readiness to the Fleet.”

FRCSE Mayport and FRCSE, formerly known as Naval Air Depot Jacksonville, sustained an Intermediate/Depot Level Partnership Program called the “Enhanced Maintenance Program (EMP),” whereby depot level artisans interdict Beyond Capability Maintenance (BCM) and return depot level requirements to intermediate level standards. Additionally, they conduct training enabling FRCSE personnel to improve their skills far beyond the level normally associated with standard on-the-job training. The EMP achieved a cost avoidance of $2.9 million in fiscal year 2006. FRCSE Mayport’s commitment to NAVRIIP, AIRSpeed, and other process improvement programs via Fleet Logistic conferences and critical item logistics reviews saved the Navy an overall $12 million in cost savings.

The SECDEF Maintenance Award also includes command readiness of their personnel and civic involvement throughout the year. This same level of commitment to quality maintenance and cost savings efforts is also applied to the personnel assigned there. Outstanding milestones are: (1) Awarded the FY05 and FY06 COMFLTFORCOM Retention Excellence Award; (2) Volunteered 1,230 hours to the Adopt-a-School program at Neptune Beach Elementary and Nease High School; (3) Volunteered 370 hours to the HABIJAX project; and (4) Volunteered countless hours to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America and Salvation Army. The men and women at FRCSE Mayport are proud of their community, which was proven by their exceptional level of dedicated community service.
– USN –