Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) has hired its first permanent employees from the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge Program. SkillBridge matches military members with industry partners to gain valuable training and work experience during their last 180 days of active duty service, to ease their transition into the civilian workforce.

At a ribbon-cutting ceremony aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville on Monday, Oct. 16, Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) opened a new facility expected to usher in next-generation avionics excellence.

Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) inducted its first F135 Power Module (PM) Aug. 24, one of the five major modules that make up the propulsion system on the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. 

After being designated as a Department of Defense second depot source of repair (DSOR) for the F135 engine, FRCSE quickly began planning for the arrival of its first PM and future sustainment as a second DSOR.  

New position descriptions developed at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) are bringing the depot in line with commercial industry hiring practices and allowing for increased flexibility in employee professional development, all with an eye on improving efficiency and utilization.

Whether it is due to its all-weather versatility and reliability, or its run with the renowned flight demonstration team, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the F/A-18 Hornet has been a combat-proven platform for the Navy and Marine Corps for many years.

Support provided by Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) and the Eastern North Carolina (ENC) Tech Bridge to local educators will help shape lesson plans that prepare students for STEM-related occupations, including the aviation-focused careers found at the aircraft maintenance depot.

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) achieved another first in its support of next-generation Naval Aviation with the successful assembly of a lift fan clutch for the F-35B Lightning II aircraft. FRCE personnel became the first within the Department of Defense (DoD) to perform this task outside of the original manufacturer’s facility. 

Freddie Dawkins, a pneudraulics systems mechanic at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE), celebrated his retirement from federal service after 70 years of combined military and civilian service.

FRCE Commanding Officer Capt. James M. Belmont recognized Dawkins’ accomplishments during a ceremony at the depot July 27.

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) hosted U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy Aug. 14 for a briefing and tour focused on the depot’s expanding workload and future capabilities, including enhanced support of the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter.