Submitted by: Susu Kulow, FRC Communications Team, 301.757.9034

PATUXENT RIVER, MD – October 16, 2006 – On October 10, 2006 the Commander, Fleet Readiness Center (COMFRC) and Commanding Officer, Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) held a dual ceremony to stand-up Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) operations at Naval Base Coronado.

“Integrating Intermediate and Depot level maintenance is an incredibly intricate and
complex undertaking,” said Rear Adm. Michael Hardee, COMFRC. “But one that creates the kind of “all star” team Naval Aviation needs in order to generate the combat readiness our warfighter needs to efficiently operate now and in the future.”

The Navy is transforming the way naval aviation maintenance is performed. In February 2006, the Naval Aviation Enterprise Board of Directors approved the concept of operations developed by the Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR’s) Commander for Aviation Depots to implement Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 2005 decisions affecting naval aviation maintenance. The BRAC law calls for establishment of FRCs, which integrate Naval Air Depots (NADEPs) and the Continental United States (CONUS) Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachments (AIMDs) into a consolidated organization for shore-based, off-flightline maintenance, reducing duplicative maintenance processes and improving service to the fleet. FRCs will decrease turnaround time for aircraft maintenance, which will improve the Navy’s ability to maintain the right level of combat-ready aircraft at reduced costs. The FRC organization aligns all CONUS off-flightline maintenance functions under one command that will report to the Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF).

On August 1, 2006, the Office of the Secretary of Defense approved the FRC business plan. The planned completion and realignment of all resources for the FRC transition is scheduled for FY09. The implementation of FRCs is one of the Navy’s strategies to support the warfighter and achieve cost-wise readiness in the 21st Century.

Photo Captions:

Photo 1: Coronado, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2006) -- Commanding Officer of Fleet Readiness Centers Southwest (FRCSW), Capt. Fred E. Cleveland, accepts the Fleet Readiness Center Flag after becoming the first commanding officer of FRCSW. FRCSW will be the first of six FRCs to stand-up following the stand-up of Commander Fleet Readiness Centers. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Shannon K. Cassidy. (RELEASED BY FLEET PUBLIC AFFAIRS CENTER, PACIFIC).

Photo 2: Coronado, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2006) -- Vice Adm. James M. Zortman addresses the audience at the Fleet Readiness Centers (FRCs) Stand-up Ceremony. Fleet Readiness Centers Southwest (FRCSW) will be the first of six FRCs to stand-up following the stand-up of Commander Fleet Readiness Centers. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Shannon K. Cassidy. (RELEASED BY FLEET PUBLIC AFFAIRS CENTER, PACIFIC).

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Coronado, Calif. (Oct. 10, 2006) -- Commanding Officer of Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW), Capt. Fred E. Cleveland, addresses the audience at the Fleet Readiness Centers (FRCs) Stand-up Ceremony. FRCSW will be the first of six FRCs to stand-up following the stand-up of Commander Fleet Readiness Centers. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Shannon K. Cassidy. (RELEASED BY FLEET PUBLIC AFFAIRS CENTER, PACIFIC).