Ten Naval Air Systems Command senior technologists were recently inducted as Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Research & Engineering Esteemed Fellows, the highest level of the NAVAIR Fellows program. Among those inducted was Dennis Gordge, of Lexington Park, Md.

Gordge, who is originally from Roanoke, Va., graduated with a BS in Engineering Science and Mechanics from Virginia Tech, and received his MS in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Gordge has worked for NAVAIR in the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) since 1982, beginning at what was then the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Md. He is a Life Support Engineer with 24 years experience in aircrew systems and aviation life support engineering.

His responsibilities include performing research and development, test and evaluation on aircraft life support systems, such as: oxygen systems for high altitude protection; breathing gas systems for smoke and fume protection; crew ensembles for chemical/biological/radiological protection; and crew ensembles for protection against acceleration forces associated with highly maneuverable and agile aircraft.

“The most significant part of my work has been in high altitude protection where I have been researching, developing, testing and fielding on-board oxygen generating systems for hypoxia protection in tactical aircraft,” said Gordge. “Currently, I’m the lead technical engineer for developing new and more sophisticated molecular sieve base oxygen concentrators used to produce oxygen for crew breathing during flight. I’m also overseeing fundamental research in generating oxygen using ceramic based ionic transport membrane technology.”

“My greatest professional satisfaction comes from finding technical solutions for problems faced by naval aviators,” he said, “and one of my professional goals is to create a safer cockpit environment for military aviators.”

Gordge is also very involved in his community, mentoring junior engineers and talking to area school children about the field of engineering. He is also a volunteer paramedic with the St. Mary’s County Advanced Life Support Unit and a part-time instructor for the College of Southern Maryland.

Gordge has been nationally recognized as a technical authority on military aviation life support systems and is actively serving on several national and international technical committees for setting standards for aviation oxygen systems. He is also co-lead for the military’s tri-service working group on aircraft oxygen system standardization.

He has also served as principal investigator or provided significant contributions in testing aircraft and aircrew equipment on over 30 different types of aircraft including high performance tactical jets, tilt-rotor aircraft, helicopters, cargo carriers and transport aircraft.

Instituted in 2000, the NAVAIR Research and Engineering Fellows Program is a peer-oriented technical recognition program for the command’s most experienced and talented scientists and engineers who have made major contributions to naval aviation.

In a congratulatory letter to each of the Esteemed Fellows, Vice Admiral Wally Massenburg, NAVAIR Commander said, “Your selection was based on your superior knowledge and skills, continued significant contributions to Naval Aviation, and active participation in the Naval Air Systems Command Research and Engineering Fellows Program.”

According to Karen Jensen, NAVAIR Research and Engineering Fellows Program Coordinator, only the top 0.25 percent of the NAVAIR science and engineering workforce earns the Esteemed Fellow designation, which equates to about 16 out of 6,500 scientists and engineers NAVAIR wide.

NAVAIR Associate Fellow is the first tier of technical recognition, the second tier is NAVAIR Fellow, and the third and highest tier is NAVAIR Esteemed Fellow.

The ceremony was held on August 30 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

Photo: Vice Admiral Wally Massenburg, NAVAIR Commander (left) recognizes Dennis Gordge as an Esteemed Fellow during a ceremony at NAVAIR headquarters on Aug. 30. Also present is Capt. Stephen Eastburg, NAVAIR Assistant Commander for Research and Engineering.