At Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW), innovation is not a buzzword, it’s a daily commitment to the warfighter. That commitment reached an historic milestone with the command’s completion of its first fully organic F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III modification. For the first time, U.S. military artisans and engineers executed the complete upgrade in-house, marking a pivotal step forward in naval aviation readiness.

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) proudly hosted members of COMNAVSURFPAC’s rising generation of Navy Supply Corps Officers. These future leaders gained firsthand insight into how FRCSW depot-level maintenance operations and business functions come together to drive fleet readiness. From industrial supply and logistics to the critical business processes that keep production moving, FRCSW teammates demonstrate how integrated support directly impacts mission success and strengthens warfighter capability.

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) and the University of California San Diego’s Rady School of Management have launched a new partnership aimed at enhancing leadership development, workforce readiness, and innovation across local defense and academic communities.

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest’s (FRCSW) mission is to deliver combat ready aircraft and components to the United States Navy and Marine Corps warfighter so they can fight and win in any battle.

While much of the spotlight often falls on the artisans and engineers who repair and overhaul aircraft, there are other highly specialized teams working behind the scenes whose impact is just as critical to mission success. One such team is the Chemical Handlers of the FRCSW Environmental Department.

Members of the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) Voyage Repair Team (VRT) stand shoulder to shoulder with Sailors from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on the ships flight deck. The FRCSW VRT handles the maintenance, modifications and repairs to the flight decks of aircraft carriers assigned to or visiting Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI). VRT artisans also deploy to carriers around the globe in response to repairs that require depot level attention to ensure the continued safety and success of naval missions.

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) hosted students from San Diego State University (SDSU) and the University of California at San Diego (UCSD). These outstanding individuals, represented their respective student chapters of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and were given a tour of FRCSW operations during an engineering-focused visit. The group of 26 aerospace engineering students observed firsthand the advanced engineering, maintenance and sustainment efforts that keep U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft mission-ready.

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) has once again proven that America’s strength lies not only in its aircraft and equipment but in the dedicated hands and innovative minds of the men and women who maintain them. The command’s groundbreaking effort to overhaul and recoat the F/A-18 Landing Gear (NLG) has become one of the most successful new initiatives in the FRC enterprise, one that directly supports the President’s National Defense Strategy.

FRCSW Commanding Officer, CAPT Rick Rivera, presents command challenge coins to Mr. Paul Johnson, Ms. Suelen Razo, Mr. Benjamin Rinn, Mr. David Price, and Mr. Lancelot Lee in recognition of their exceptional behind-the-scenes contributions that directly strengthened fleet readiness.

Representing both the FRCSW Chemistry Lab and the Advanced Metrology Systems Reverse Engineering Lab (AMSREL), these professionals delivered rapid, high-precision support during some of the command’s most urgent technical challenges.

FRCSW has been repairing Navy and Marine Corps aircraft for over 106 years. Over that time, the command has had many employees come and go but the majority of our folks stay aboard for the long haul and end up retiring from federal service. In early November 2025, the FRCSW retirees gathered for their 33^rd retiree’s reunion luncheon held this year at Elijah’s restaurant.

On Friday January 9^th, a retirement ceremony was held for CDR Pam Donovan at the North Island Ibar. This ceremony was marked by a deeply meaningful moment that bridged generations of service and sacrifice. In addition to celebrating CDR Donovan’s distinguished naval career, the command was honored to recognize, posthumously, the extraordinary service of LTCOL Warren F. Donovan, USAF (Ret.), through the presentation of the Prisoner of War Medal (POW).