Two groups of Fleet Readiness Center East apprentices celebrated success during a graduation ceremony held May 20 at the Craven Community College New Bern campus.

The apprentices earned certificates in industrial systems technology, recognizing their completion of the academic portion of the National Apprenticeship Program. The four-year program – governed nationally by Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers – offers participants the opportunity to work as full-time federal employees, receiving pay and benefits as they pursue a combination of education and on-the-job training.

Commander, Naval Air Systems Command, Vice Adm. Dean Peters presided over a small ceremony as Rear Adm. Joseph Hornbuckle assumed the role of Commander Fleet Readiness Centers aboard Naval Air Station Patuxent River today.

During the ceremony, Peters acknowledged the role COMFRC plays in ensuring naval aviation readiness. “COMFRC is at the forefront of our supplying readiness to the warfighter. They have their fingerprints on the equipment our Sailors and Marines need to accomplish their mission,” he said.

On Thursday, April 29, Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) hosted its first Boots on the Ground (BoG) event of 2021 onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville. The BoG was scaled down to a “micro” event because of lingering concerns over COVID-19.

BoGs are conducted Navy-wide across all aviation commands, as the only exception for this event was the scale of attendees. While leaders from various organizations within the Naval Aviation Enterprise tour the facility, depot-level personnel are presented with an opportunity to both express concerns and flex successes.

Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) recently implemented various continuous process improvements (CPI) within the command’s Bonded Material Storeroom (BMS), saving the depot approximately $101,800, and helping to supply materials for 22 Golden Tickets. The new CPI methods streamlined processes and distribution across the storage area. 

A lot of magic happens in the BMS. This area operates as a central hub, receiving all raw materials required for manufacturing processes. 

Command of Fleet Readiness Center East returned to a Marine Corps officer as Col. Thomas A. Atkinson assumed leadership of the facility in a brief ceremony held May 7.

Capt. Mark E. Nieto, the first Navy officer to take the helm of the depot, formally transferred authority and responsibility for the depot to Atkinson in a short, in-office change of command ceremony led virtually by acting Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers Capt. Christopher Couch.

Fleet Readiness Center East hosted leaders from Naval Air Systems Command April 28 to discuss issues affecting aviation and personnel readiness, including turnaround time reduction, dynamic planning and organization, as well as receive feedback on recent training initiatives.

Fleet Readiness Center Southeast's (FRCSE) T-6 Production Line was recognized with the NAVAIR Commander's Award for Best Performing Production Line March 31.

NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. Dean Peters presented FRCSE with the award during a virtual event live-streamed from NAVAIR Headquarters in Patuxent River, Md. This year marked the 21st annual observance of the awards, which recognize teams that improve speed and readiness within Naval aviation.

Aircraft maintenance professionals with Fleet Readiness Center East’s F-35 Rapid Response Team play a critical role in keeping the Marine Corps’ F-35B Lightning II fleet healthy. 

In support of this goal, FRCE’s F-35 Rapid Response Team (RRT) recently conducted simultaneous deployments to Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, and aboard the USS Makin Island, underway in the Arabian Sea. RRT maintainers inspected and repaired 12 F-35B aircraft, all in under 40 days – including travel, precautionary restriction of movement and workdays.

U.S. Navy Capt. Grady G. Duffey, Jr. relieved U.S. Marine Corps Col. Frederick G. Schenk as the 44th commanding officer of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) during a change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Jacksonville on Apr. 22.

Schenk was the first Marine to lead FRCSE in the depot's more than 80-year history.

Though the small, intimate gathering was due to ongoing concerns related to COVID-19, it did seem fitting, as Schenk is not one for publicity despite a highly successful career and outstanding tenure at FRCSE.

Aviation Electronics Technician 1^st Class Maria English, a petty officer first class attached to Fleet Readiness Center East Detachment McGuire, recently earned the title of 2020 Navy Reserve Force Shore Sailor of the Year. The Navy Reserve announced the award March 22 on behalf of Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force Vice Adm. John Mustin.