By: Janina Lamoglia 

In celebration of the upcoming holiday season, Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) civilian, military and contractor personnel have come together to support a collection benefitting Toys for Tots, a nationwide, not-for-profit organization that collects and distributes toys to families in need during the holidays.

Following the delivery of the depot’s final AV-8B Harrier in September, Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recently completed its last F402 engine maintenance event, delivering the finished product to the fleet Oct. 28.

The Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) F-35 Lightning II aircraft modification line continues to grow with the recent addition of a new storage system that will improve safety and efficiency.

As part of the F-35 modification line’s transformation efforts, FRCE has installed three new vertical lift modules – also referred to as vertical stackers – that act as a centralized storage unit for aircraft parts and components. The system effectively consolidates items that have traditionally been stored in various areas throughout the facility.

A Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) engineer recently earned the title of the command’s 2024 Supervisor of the Year for his efforts to improve productivity, efficiency and team morale by emphasizing open communication, employee empowerment and work-life balance.

Naval Aviation Systems Command (NAVAIR) recognized FRCE Supervisor of the Year Michael Wagoner and 11 other Supervisors of the Year from across the enterprise during a virtual award ceremony held Oct. 24. The 12 site winners were chosen from almost 100 nominations, including five from FRCE.

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) marked the end of an era with the completion of its final AV-8B Harrier maintenance event, delivering the aircraft to Marine Attack Squadron 223 onboard Marine Air Station Cherry Point Sept. 26.

Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) Detachment Jacksonville has completed certification to become the first intermediate-level (I-level) fiber optics Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) maintenance facility in the Navy.

Currently, the detachment supports the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. However, the certification underscores an opportunity for FRCSE to enhance operational readiness throughout the NAVAIR domain.

Ian Hawkins, a Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) materials engineering supervisor, was recently accepted into the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Fellow Program coordinated by Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s (NAWCAD) during an award ceremony held at NAVAIR headquarters in Pawtuxet River, MD.

Capt. Randy J. Berti assumed command of Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) from Capt. James M. Belmont during a change of command ceremony Sept. 12.

For Belmont, a Chicago, Illinois, native, the ceremony marked the conclusion of his military career; the outgoing FRCE commanding officer will be retiring following 30 years of service.

For the second time in three years, Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) earned recognition as the safest organization within the Department of Defense (DoD) with the 2024 Safety and Occupational Health Management System (SOHMS) Achievement Award in the organizational category.