Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) announced Sept. 24 that Naval Aviation achieved its Secretary of Defense-mandated readiness target of an 80 percent mission-capable (MC) rate for both its operational F/A-18 E/F “Super Hornet” and EA-18G “Growler” fleets.

After a year of reforms across Navy squadrons, maintenance and supply depots and other key readiness enabling commands, Super Hornet and Growler readiness each stand above 80 percent of Primary Mission Aircraft Inventory (PMAI), at 343 and 95 aircraft, respectively.

As naval aviation employs industry best practices to increase aircraft readiness rates, the Naval Air System Command (NAVAIR) International Sustainment Department is using some of the same strategies to better provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to the fleets of partner nations. 

Thanks to an initiative that began earlier this year, Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) teammates have probably noticed less clutter around the plant.

The command’s Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO) project is removing recyclable scrap aircraft parts found throughout FRCSW’s buildings and grounds.

Manned by a team of six production control (PC) personnel, the project has processed and disposed of approximately $120 million in recyclables to date.

A training program recently offered at Fleet Readiness Center East prepared service members to make aircraft and component repairs at the squadron level, which will increase flight-line readiness by reducing aircraft downtime.

Physiology experts were on hand at the annual Tailhook Association Convention Sept. 5-7 providing a demonstration of the newest hypoxia awareness training device for naval aviation, the On-Demand Hypoxia Trainer (ODHT).

Hypoxia is a condition in which the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply and can adversely affect aircrew if they are not properly trained to recognize the symptoms of air hunger.

Vice Adm. DeWolfe Miller, III, Commander Naval Air Forces, opened the first night of the 2019 Tailhook Association Symposium by leading a discussion panel focusing on updates on readiness within the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE), here on Sept. 5.

The NAE is a partnership of stakeholders in aviation focusing on sustaining required readiness and advancing warfighting capabilities at the best possible cost.

The sun rose at the edge of the Patuxent River the morning of Aug. 29, heralding the start of a new day and the chance to make a fresh start.

Approximately 50 NAVAIR and Naval Air Station Patuxent River active duty and civilian employees gathered here for the annual “Light of Day” event to kick off National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month in September.

Suicide is on the rise in the Navy and in the nation overall: The U.S. suicide rate is at its highest since World War II.

A recently-completed facility will bring a new strategic capability to Fleet Readiness Center East and the F-35B Lightning aircraft line next year. When the new F-35 laser shock peening facility is fully operational in 2020, FRCE will be one of two sites in the world that will use laser technology to strengthen F-35 structural components.

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) has selected Jesse Ballesteros as its 2018 Civilian of the Year.

Ballesteros, the Facilities Integrated Products Team (IPT) Lead for the past three years, was recognized for his leadership in the maintenance, improvements and planning of the command’s facilities.

“Under infrastructure and planning we do the layout and design, the engineering, and all of the project management to get the projects in. We also manage the sustainment, restoration and modernization (SRM) budget which is about $25 million per year,” he said.