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.
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.
The winners of the NAVAIR Commander’s Awards were recognized virtually at the 21st annual awards ceremony March 31 for delivering capability faster, improving readiness and providing innovative technologies and business solutions.
“You have demonstrated that boldness, creativity and leadership that are the building blocks of our mission-aligned organization,” said NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. Dean Peters. “Thank you for setting the bar high, and congratulations for a job well done. You have accomplished so much under the unprecedented environment of this last year.”
Aviation Electronics Technician 1st 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.
A marked decrease in turnaround times earned Fleet Readiness Center East’s T64 engine production team recognition during a Naval Air Systems Command ceremony March 31.
NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. Dean Peters presented FRCE with the NAVAIR Commander’s Award for Best Performing Fleet Readiness Center Shop during a virtual event live-streamed from NAVAIR Headquarters in Patuxent River, Maryland. This year marked the 21st annual observance of the awards, which recognize teams that improve speed and readiness within naval aviation.
Fleet Readiness Center East, North Carolina’s largest aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul and technical services provider, marked a new chapter March 25 as the facility stood up a new satellite operation at the North Carolina Global TransPark in Kinston.
Fleet Readiness Center East recently accepted delivery of an F-35 airframe transported by barge from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, to FRCE facilities aboard MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina.
Working together with the F-35 Joint Program Office, FRCE received approval to accept the stripped down airframe for use in maintenance training and engineering testing, which will allow for the development of improved tooling, maintenance procedures and sustainment practices.
Following a string of success in reducing maintenance, repair and overhaul turnaround times on V-22 Osprey aircraft, Fleet Readiness Center East has set its sights on improving turnaround times for the H-53 heavy lift helicopter.
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Troy E. Black visited Fleet Readiness Center East March 15 to receive updates regarding the support FRCE provides to Marine Corps aviation and the facility’s current status of operations.
Berger and Black toured the facility with FRCE Commanding Officer Capt. Mark E. Nieto and Executive Director Mark Meno. The itinerary focused on the V-22 Osprey, F-35 Lightning II and future plans for F-35 maintenance and capabilities at FRCE.
