By Vicky Falcón
NAVAIR Public Affairs Office

With his change of command ceremony just two months away, Vice Admiral Wally Massenburg, NAVAIR Commander, assured NAS Patuxent River employees that the wheels he set in motion providing aviation units to the Fleet at reduced cost will keep turning when Rear Admiral David Venlet takes over in February.

“I believe this journey is in its infancy,” Massenburg said, “and I believe Admiral Venlet will continue the journey.”

Venlet is scheduled to assume command as NAVAIR Commander during a change-of-command ceremony Feb. 16.

During the two “All Hands” messages given Dec. 12, the admiral recounted how the organization began its transition from the traditional acquisition business model to where it is today.

“In the 1990’s, the goal was capabilities at all cost,” he said. “When I took over, the pendulum had swung to readiness at all cost and we were mortgaging our future.”

“Today NAVAIR is a $40.2 billion business and we understand our business better than ever,” he said, explaining, “We’re in the business of warfighting, not in the business of consumption.”

“Our behavior is changing,” he continued. “How have we done this over the last three-to-five years? You did it! Slowly, surely, we aligned ourselves to our ultimate customer – our Sailors and Marines, getting them what they need and guaranteeing what they need in the future.”

According to Massenburg, the change began when the organization embraced the five goals he brought with him when he became Commander: to balance current and future readiness; to reduce our costs of doing business; to improve agility; to ensure alignment; and to implement Fleet-driven metrics.

“Today we operate as an Enterprise, at a whole different level,” he said. “Not only is NAVAIR balancing current and future readiness, but now the NAE (Naval Aviation Enterprise) is balancing current and future readiness, as well. The Navy Enterprise is modeling itself after the NAE.”

The admiral cited several recent success stories from his tenure, including flying more hours for less money in the flying-hour program, making 2005 the first year NAVAIR over-executed the flying-hour program. AIRSpeed also continues to be a tremendous success, accomplishing $283 million in cost avoidance this year. Of that money, $50 million was returned to Navy leaders for use at their discretion.

The admiral also touted success from the Prowler/Growler team, which delivered their product at budget and ahead of schedule; the 100 percent Fleet customer satisfaction rating with NAVAIR’s flight clearance process; and $20.9 billion in contracts negotiated through NAVAIR.

“I stand back in awe at what all of you folks have done,” said Massenburg. “Thank you for three years of a great journey.”

Massenburg made his comments during two well attended all hands calls, one at the base theater and one in the atrium of the Rear Admiral William A. Moffett building.

For more information about NAVAIR AIRSpeed contact the AIRSpeed Core Team, 301-342-2699. Visions channel 12 will replay the all-hands meetings throughout December.

Photo caption: VADM Wally Massenburg speaks to a group of Patuxent River employees during one of his final "All Hands" events on December 12. U.S. Navy Photo by Mike Wilson.