U.S. Navy Capt. Grady G. Duffey, Jr. relieved U.S. Marine Corps Col. Frederick G. Schenk as the 44th commanding officer of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) during a change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Jacksonville on Apr. 22.

Schenk was the first Marine to lead FRCSE in the depot's more than 80-year history.

Though the small, intimate gathering was due to ongoing concerns related to COVID-19, it did seem fitting, as Schenk is not one for publicity despite a highly successful career and outstanding tenure at FRCSE.

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 1^st 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.

OS1 Ashley C. Clines, lead petty officer assigned to the range department of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 30, was named the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) 2020 Sailor of the Year during a virtual ceremony March 29.

Clines, representing Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD), received the honor virtually at Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California.

Prior to her assignment at VX-30, Clines served as an Operations Specialist aboard USS Lassen (DDG 82) and USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53). She joined the Navy in 2011.

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.

If you’ve ever taken a training class for a job-related task, you may have found that you’ve forgotten a step or two when the time came to apply what you learned to your job. But aviation maintenance professionals at Fleet Readiness Center East may soon be able to take their instructor with them to the hangar floor – at least virtually – using augmented reality technology.