Throwing a dart in the work place isn’t safe, but DART helps managers identify safety issues and prevent mishaps and work-place accidents.

Paying attention to DART has helped Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC) become safer as Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR) and Days Away, Restricted, Transfer (DART) rates are at an all-time low and a pace that is up to 20 percent safer than Fiscal Year (FY) 2017.

Readiness recovery stood out as the primary focus of the 2018 Aerospace Maintenance Professionals Symposium, where several hundred aerospace maintenance professionals, civilians and industry representatives met in Virginia Beach, May 14-17 to collaborate and discuss critical issues concerning Naval Aviation maintenance.

Zach Simons, left, receives a plaque Aug. 16 from Rear Adm. Mike Zarkowski, Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC), signifying 40 years of federal service. Simons began his federal career by enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in August 1977, and serving for five years and 10 months. His first assignment following Boot Camp was as a Light (1/2-ton) to Heavy (10-ton) truck driver and mechanic. He later became a hydraulic system mechanic for KC-130F/R aircraft. Following his discharge from the Marine Corps, Simons served in the U.S.

Improving Readiness to get aircraft back in the fight as soon as possible is the mission of the Fleet Readiness Centers (FRC). A detachment of FRC Northwest brings increased Readiness by putting Intermediate-level maintenance capabilities alongside forward-deployed squadrons.

Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) Northwest, located at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, recently earned the Gold Level Award in Safety Management System (SMS) becoming the first FRC command in the fleet to receive such a distinction.

The Gold Level Award represents the final major milestone in implementing the Secretary of the Navy’s requirement to align the Navy’s safety risk management practices with industry best practices.

Tapping into the expertise of the Naval Reserve is one way Fleet Readiness Centers are improving aviation readiness. A seven-member team of Reserve Sailors recently proved its mettle, increasing throughput at Fleet Readiness Center Northwest (FRCNW) by more than 10 percent over a recent two-week period.

With the improving economy and tight job market, recruiting and retaining aviation maintainers can be a difficult proposition. Four Fleet Readiness Centers (FRC) will soon start a four-year apprenticeship program to help build a steady pipeline of trained and qualified artisans to increase production and improve Naval aviation readiness.