Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) marked a milestone in its support of the F-35 Lightning II program when the depot recently inducted and completed modifications on its 150th F-35 and returned the aircraft to the Fleet.

FRCE is the lead site for depot-level maintenance on the F-35B Lightning II and has conducted modifications and repair on the Marine Corps’ short takeoff-vertical landing variant of the aircraft since 2013. The depot has also worked with the F-35A (conventional takeoff and landing) and F-35C (carrier) variants.

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.

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) met a new milestone with the induction of its first Navy CMV-22B Osprey for maintenance Aug. 21. With receipt of this aircraft, the depot now services all three variants of the V-22 platform, which also include the Marine Corps MV-22B and the Air Force CV-22.

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.

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.

An ordinary day at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) took a dramatic turn when a 28-year-old employee suffered a cardiac emergency, but thanks to his supervisor's swift and potentially life-saving intervention, he is back to his normal self.

In the early morning hours of June 18, hazardous waste disposer Gannon Plouff began experiencing chest pains, increased heart rate and shortness of breath while working in the facility. This was not the first cardiac event Plouff had faced; he has suffered from a history of various heart conditions in the past. 

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recently welcomed a group of Craven County school teachers to the depot as a part of an externship program focused on increasing student preparation for careers in industry.

Four Craven County teachers participated in the five-day long program, which allowed the teachers to immerse themselves in FRCE’s operations by touring the depot and gaining in-depth insight from individuals working in a wide range of career fields.

More than 1,000 visitors had the chance to explore cutting-edge technology during a recent industry showcase event geared toward solving challenges faced in the military aviation maintenance community.

Hosted by the Eastern North Carolina (ENC) Tech Bridge in partnership with the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS), Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) and Craven County, the NCMS Technology Showcase held July 16-17 at the Riverfront Convention Center of in New Bern featured almost 50 organizations presenting their newest innovations.