Pax River Press July 2024

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JULY 2024

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This paper is published by APG Media of Chesapeake, LLC, 29088 Airpark Drive, Easton, MD. 21601. 410-770-4005, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Navy, under an exclusive written Memorandum of Understanding with Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

This commercial enterprise magazine is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of the Pax River Press are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by the U.S. Government, the DoD, or the Department of the Navy. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or

supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD or APG Media of Chesapeake, LLC, and Printing of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected.

Editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs Office. All editorial content submitted to Pax River Press is subject to editing and is approved by the Public Affairs Office of NAS Patuxent River. Editorial content should be submitted by Friday one month prior to be considered for the following month’s edition. To inquire about news copy, call 240-801-2258 or send an email to ewohlenhaus@dcmilitary.com.

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Capt. Douglas Burfield Commanding Officer CMDCM Ryan Colosimo Command Master Chief Capt. Mark Zematis Executive Officer Patrick Gordon Public Affairs Officer TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 LUDACRIS AND JD VITO PERFORM AT NAVAL AIR STATION 18 ANNUAL COMMANDER’S AWARDS 10 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE YEAR 22 NAVAL AVATION 3-STAR SUMMIT 11 MURAL RAISED FROM RUIN AT THE NAVAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM 24 NEWLY PROMOTED SAILORS 14 TEAM ADVANCES VIRTUAL PAINT SIMULATOR 16 MA2 KERR THANKED

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Ludacris and DJ Vito Bring Electrifying Performances to Naval Air Station Patuxent River

On May 23, Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River was alive with excitement as over 5,000 people gathered for the Operation MWR concert. The free tickets, which were gone in just two days, signaled the high demand and anticipation for the event. The event was hosted by Navy MWR Entertainment, working with the NAS Patuxent River Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) team to bring the concert to the community.

DJ Vito, based in Rhode Island and a seasoned DJ with over 20 years of experience, kicked off the event with an electrifying set. Thrilled to perform for the military community at NAS Patuxent River, DJ Vito energized the crowd. “It’s incredible being here, playing for the brave men and women who serve our country,” he said.

The night ended with a headlining performance by

Ludacris, who brought the crowd to their feet with a setlist spanning his illustrious 25-year music career. Performing hits like “Act A Fool,” “Stand Up,” “Money Maker,” and “Get Back,” Ludacris captivated the audience. Speaking about the impact of music on morale, he noted, “Music is life and life is music. Music can bring people up... it defnitely boosts morale for everyone. It’s why I do this.”

The diverse audience, including Sailors, Marines, their families, DoD civilians, and other MWReligible patrons from NAS Patuxent River and nearby military communities, contributed to the vibrant atmosphere. Captain Douglas Burfeld, Commanding Offcer at NAS Patuxent River, underscored the value of such events. “The mission here is ongoing, it never stops. Hosting events like these shows our appreciation for our service members and gives them a chance to relax and have fun,” he said.

The concert, held just before Memorial Day

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weekend, marked the start of a summer flled with exciting events planned by NAS Patuxent River MWR. Interviews with Sailors prior to the show revealed their excitement. LTJG Blake Schearer shared, “Ludacris makes up probably 90% of my workout playlist. I’m excited to fnally see him in person. I’m defnitely going to remember tonight.”

NAS Patuxent River’s Operation MWR event not only delivered an evening of outstanding entertainment but also reinforced the community’s gratitude for its military members’ dedication and service. As the summer unfolds, anticipation for more memorable events continues to build. YN2 Gregory Winstead, stationed at NAS Patuxent River after serving in Japan, said, “It means a lot to us to have this type of show. My buddies and I have been talking about the concert for weeks. Thanks, MWR, for putting this on.”

Navy MWR’s Operation MWR, presented

by GOVX, will host 65+ free events at Navy installations worldwide from May to June 2024. These events aim to boost morale and resilience among service members and their families through live entertainment, recreational activities, food, games, and more. Open to active duty members, reservists, veterans, retirees, DoD civilians, and eligible MWR patrons. For more information about Operation MWR and to fnd your local event, please visit NavyMWR.org/OperationMWR.

Navy MWR’s mission is to deliver high-quality, customer-focused programs and services that contribute to resiliency, retention, readiness and quality of life. Navy MWR Entertainment tours make a positive impact on the morale of our troops. The program provides quality, live entertainment for Sailors stationed overseas and on deployed ships at sea. For more information about the program, visit NavyMWR.org/Entertainment.

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Fort Myer Henderson Hall Fort McNair Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Base Guide 2024 PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION Center of Excellence for Naval Aviation • www.cnic.navy.mil/patuxent 2023-2024 Newcomer Guide with Installation Map RYAN EBAUGH 443-963-6013 rebaugh@chespub.com ELI WOHLENHAUS 240-801-2258 ewohlenhaus@dcmilitary.com MID-ATLANTIC MILITARY LIFE At Ease JAY BRYANT 62-year-old Air Force veteran competing at a high level CURATION Program helps veterans find their future by preserving the past FIELDS FOR VALOR Vets growing food for other vets through clean farming

Villaruel Named Law Enforcement Offcer of the Year for NAS Patuxent River

St. Mary’s County Government recognized Cpl. Marc Villaruel for his exceptional work as a Department of Defense Police Offcer at NAS Patuxent River at the St. Mary’s Law Enforcement Appreciation Day May

7. The event recognized the contributions of law enforcement offcers at local, state, and federal offces within St. Mary’s County, and included awardees from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Offce, Maryland State Police, Maryland department of Natural Resources Police, Maryland State Fire Marshall’s Offce, and the St. Mary’s College of Southern Maryland Public Safety Offce, as well as the Offce of the State’s Attorney.

NAS Patuxent River Chief of Police Col. Stephen Schuyler, who highlighted the offcer’s strengths in working with the community and his fellow offcers, nominated Villaruel for the award.

“He consistently goes above and beyond to build trust and rapport, fostering positive relationships that are instrumental in maintaining public safety and

promoting community well-being,” wrote Schuyler in his recommendation. “Cpl. Villaruel stands out as a beacon of leadership and mentorship among his peers. His commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of his work, from his meticulous attention to detail to his unwavering dedication to the professional development of his fellow offcers.”

Villaruel’s nomination highlighted his mentorship, noting an ability to distill complex concepts into digestible lessons, ensuring that every offcer under his guidance receives the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their roles.

“He leads by example, embodying the values of integrity, courage, and compassion that are the hallmark of our profession,” added Schuyler. “His calm demeanor and sound judgment inspire confdence in his colleagues, fostering a sense of unity and cohesion within our ranks.”

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Navy test pilot school mural raised from ruin at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum

A mural that once held pride of place on the lobby wall of the now-demolished Offcer’s Club at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River will once again be a focal point, this time for visitors at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum in Lexington Park, Maryland.

The mural, an oil-on-canvas painting by George F. McWilliams, represents NAS Patuxent River’s role in national space history – particularly, the role of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS), its graduates, and its long-standing relationship with NASA.

In 2015, Pax River’s Offcer’s Club—along with its remaining furnishings—had been long closed and headed to demolition. Knowing its fate, then USNTPS Commanding Offcer Lt. Col. Tim Davis and USNTPS

Technical Director John Hardison went looking for the painting.

“The building had been closed up and had fallen into serious disrepair,” said Hardison. “There were roof leaks and mold everywhere. Literally one-third of the mural had detached from the wall, held up by the portion that was still adhered to the wall.”

Davis is no longer at USNTPS, but is an instructor and scientist for Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in California, Md.

“I thought it would be terrible if it got thrown away or destroyed,” Davis said. Since he had a contact at the Pax River Naval Air Museum, he connected with them to take on the restoration project.

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According to Courtney Stanley, communications specialist for the museum, the mural underwent signifcant restoration work due to exposure from years of wear, grime, and various airborne particles.

the Offcer’s Club and now we get to see that part of our history at the museum.”

“The panels and support structures for the mural were constructed by JF Taylor Company,” said Stanley. “Our conservator team will attach the restored panels, which now have a lifespan of at least 100 years.”

“I thought it would be terrible if it got thrown away or destroyed.”

McWilliams is a Southern Maryland native who currently resides in West Virginia. He worked as a graphic artist for the U.S. Naval Air Test Center, now the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD).

Once attached, the panels will be raised high into the spaces of the museum’s Test & Evaluation Hall.

“It’s important that we don’t lose the history of Pax and all the test pilots who were here,” said Davis. “I vividly remember seeing the mural above the entry doors at

USNTPS has produced nearly 100 astronauts including Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, Jim Lovell, John Glenn, Charles Bolden and many more, including four crew members currently aboard the International Space Station. USNTPS is a component of Naval Test Wing Atlantic, the test wing under NAWCAD, located at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland.

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“A” School Integrated Product Team Advances Virtual Paint Simulator Training Systems, Providing Cost Benefts and Improved Student Throughput

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT

RIVER, Md. - The Naval Aviation Training Systems and Ranges Program Offce (PMA-205) “A” School Integrated Product Team (IPT) provided a rapid, cost effective, and improved solution for upgrading aging “A” School Virtual Paint Simulator (VPS) training systems using state-of-the-art virtual reality technology.

“I commend the “A” School IPT for their dedication and hard work, providing effective training solutions to CNATT [Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training], resulting in a reduction of costs, and an increase in profciency for students utilizing the training facilities,” stated Capt. Kevin McGee, PMA-205 Program Manager.

Nearly a decade ago, the CNATT headquarters (HQ), located in Pensacola, Florida, acquired three VPS systems used at three separate CNATT sites. Delivering the legacy VPS systems to the three initial sites signifcantly reduced training costs by eliminating much of the consumable materials for training such as paint, preparation, and cleanup materials. The time saved also increased student throughput and profciency. As a result, CNATT HQ wanted to expand

the use of the VPS systems into fve additional training facilities.

Components on the original VPS systems were beginning to fail more regularly, and replacement parts were becoming more diffcult to obtain. At the time the team began this acquisition effort, CNATT HQ noted that the instructors would be unable to implement required paint and fnish courses within an estimated 18 months. The team was aware that speed of delivery, as well as fnancial responsibility, would be critical in meeting the needs of the CNATT school house.

The VPS connects to a Pressure Feed Mach 1 spray gun to provide a realistc paintng experience, allowing students to use the exact spray gun also used in the Fleet.

The “A” School IPT met this need by providing a state-ofthe-art, commercial-off-theshelf (COTS) solution that could be rapidly deployed. Knowing the current VPS system was a COTS product, the team used this to their advantage. The updated VPS system was also a COTS solution, allowing them to utilize the appropriate reduced Information Assurance processes for COTS materials. The team quickly developed specifcations that met training requirements and created the relevant abbreviated contracting documentation. In addition, the IPT implemented parallel efforts to develop and produce required documentation. These approaches resulted in a contract award only nine months from project initiation.

In the next six months, the contractor fnalized the state-of-the-art VPS design and completed the frst

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The VPS uses virtual reality goggles, sensors, and valve index hand controllers to teach students the skills needed to paint aircraf and aircraf panels.

full installation of the updated VPS system. Within 20 months from project initiation, all eight systems were delivered to various worldwide CNATT locations and designated as Ready for Training.

“We are incredibly proud of the work being done by the “A” School IPT,” said Martin Negron, General Training, Program Manager. “The team met their goals while utilizing a competitive acquisition strategy, reducing program costs. These new VPS trainers provide improved operational training across eight sites worldwide, and initial feedback from the instructors has been extremely positive noting enhanced device capabilities and improved student knowledge and profciency.”

The “A” School IPT streamlined the acquisition process to deliver the training capability as quickly and judiciously as possible. Due to this successful effort, the eight CNATT facilities will hold 88 VPS classes to train the student load in Fiscal Year 2024, which will save $125,840 and 167.2 gallons of paint. This savings represents a 33% return on investment continued annually.

About PMA-205

In the classroom, the VPS is set up to include a monitor that will display a training session in real tme and a touchscreen operator control panel.

PMA-205 provides full life-cycle acquisition of naval aviation training platforms, general training systems, training range instrumentation systems, and distributed mission training centers to provide U.S. Navy and Marine Corps pilots, naval fight offcers, aircrew, and maintainers with the training equipment required to provide lethal capability and operational readiness.

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MA2 Kerr Thanked for Rendering Lifesaving Medical Aid

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Christian Kerr was personally thanked for rendering medical aid by the recipient June 10 at NAS Patuxent River’s Security Building 469.

Kerr was on patrol at Navy Recreation Center Solomons June 6 when he observed a vehicle that seemed out of place and went to make contact with the driver. Walking to the vehicle he immediately recognized the occupant, Ronald Bowen was having a medical emergency and removed him from the vehicle in order to render aid. Kerr requested additional offcers as well as medical assistance to the scene.  Upon arrival, EMS personnel were able to stabilize the occupant and transport him to a local hospital.

Bowen, a public works employee, came to Building 469 to thank Kerr in person for a job well done.

“Police offcers don’t always get the recognition they deserve, but today MA2 Kerr will,” said Bowen. “If it wasn’t for MA2 Kerr, I may not be here today.”

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On Wednesday, May 22, individuals and teams in 10 categories were recognized in the 24th

NAVAIR recognizes 11 teams, individuals who ‘changed the game’ at annual Commander’s Awards

From NAVAIR Public Affairs

On Wednesday, May 22, individuals and teams in 10 categories aligned to NAVAIR’s focus areas: speed of capability, affordability and availability, were recognized in the 24th annual NAVAIR Commander’s Awards. Awardees for small business advocacy and the Association of Naval Aviation Edward H. Heinemann Award were also recognized.

“Today’s award winners are being recognized for their accomplishments, but even more importantly, they are being recognized for the behaviors they and their teams have demonstrated that were instrumental to their success,” Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, NAVAIR commander, said in his opening remarks.

Winners were selected from 118 nominees from across NAVAIR in categories structured to recognize and reward those who delivered outcomes that matter to the warfghters and who demonstrated the behaviors and actions that enable those results.

Chebi continued, “When asked what the culture of NAVAIR is, I have a simple answer. We are focused on

supporting the warfghter. We are constantly looking to improve, and we know that we are better together.”

The 2024 NAVAIR Commander’s Awards winners are as follows:

AFFORDABILITY (COST SAVINGS)

The Cost Transformation Pillar Integrated Product Team (IPT), led by Tullos, sought to identify cost savings for reinvestment to achieve and sustain fully mission capable aircraft readiness goals. In fscal year 2023 (FY23), the goal for cost transformation was $1 billion. One hundred and forty cost savings initiatives were accepted across the naval aviation enterprise (NAE) to deliver viable savings for harvesting and reallocation in FY23. These savings enabled investment in unfunded requirements vital to ensuring type/model/series (TMS) readiness across the NAE. The team achieved actual cost savings of $1.3 billion, exceeding all expectations, norms and standards across the NAE, and maximizing the potential for real savings.

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annual NAVAIR Commander’s Awards.

AVAILABILITY

Presidential Helicopters Program Offce (PMA-274) Sustainment, Maintenance and Engineering Team

Team lead: Lee Bassett

The Sustainment, Maintenance and Engineering (SME) Team at Presidential Helicopters set a standard for high performance and outstanding achievement by providing always ready and highly capable VH3D, VH-60N and VH-92A aircraft to support Marine Helicopter Squadron One’s (HMX-1) mission. The team applied several innovative industry best practices to improve reliability and maintainability, increasing aircraft readiness to historically high rates. They also postured the feet to exceed the various TMS mission capable aircraft readiness (MCAR) and fully mission capable aircraft readiness (FMCAR) goals. Finally, the team delivered high performing aircraft to HMX-1 consistently, enabling the squadron to exceed its feet mission capability goals and fight line entitlements. These results make the team best in class: exceeding MCAR (90%) and FMCAR (84%) goals of 80%, with a 98% supply effectiveness rate.

BUSINESS INNOVATION

Fleet Readiness Center East C-130 Depot

Workload Optimization Team

Team leads: Stephen Barrow and Matthew McCann

The C-130 Workload Optimization Team, Central Coordination Department, Fleet Readiness Center East (FRC East) worked tirelessly over the past year to deploy non-traditional, innovative and workable solutions to the most complex problems. Demonstrating an unrelenting drive to achieving mission outcomes, the C-130 Workload Optimization team succeeded in bringing the Navy and Marine Corps C-130 workload back under the Navy depot structure. Pioneering several strategic approaches, FRC East collaborated with the state of North Carolina to build a 600,000-square-foot hangar, using the Navy Working Capital Fund, which will remove several hundred million dollars in potential military construction requirements. The C-130 program will realize a net savings of more than $3 million per aircraft, or more than $33 million per year, in rate comparison, while also gaining a state-of-the-art facility poised to reduce turnaround time to fewer than 200 days.

WINNING WITH INCLUSION AND RESPECT

Master Sgt. Kelly Brooks

Brooks was recognized for fostering a culture that is supportive, inclusive and welcoming to all people and perspectives. Brooks is fully committed to diversity, equity and inclusion; she lives it, shares it, trains it and leads it. She shaped the V-22 Joint Program Offce (PMA-275) culture by leading monthly “connect sessions” and modeling positive and inclusive behaviors in the work environment. Her approach to the complexities and sensitivities of diversity and inclusion training created an encouraging environment for her teammates. Her dedication to promoting the key tenets of diversity and inclusion has had positive impacts across several teams, improving collaboration and performance across the PMA-275 portfolio.

“GET REAL, GET BETTER”

E-6B Sustainment System Reform Team

Team leads: Cmdr. Rebecca Anderson, Cmdr. Roger Davis, Cmdr. Jeffrey Desmond, William McCready and Robert J. Stailey

The Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Offce (PMA-271) E-6B Team is the model for the application of “Get Real, Get Better” (GRGB) principles. The team applied the GRGB mindset, behaviors and approach to reduce dramatically the turnaround times on both the Block II modifcation effort integrated modifcation and maintenance contract and the E-6B depot maintenance line. Additionally, the team has scaled its learning throughout the program and across NAVAIR, the PEOs and the NAE. The E-6B team focused on feet outcomes, set aggressive goals, reviewed performance-to-plan at weekly heads-up display meetings, embraced risks, empowered employees to fx or elevate barriers, and treated failures as learning opportunities. As a result, they reduced turnaroundtime by 62% and reduced costs by $8 million per upgrade.

Catapult Status Dashboard for Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System Team

Team lead: Michael Fountain

Using agile processes, the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) team designed and felded successfully a critical new capability, called the Catapult

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Status Dashboard (CSD), in under 15 months — providing signifcantly improved situational awareness to the shipboard EMALS operator during aircraft launch operations. CSD is an upgrade to EMALS that enables independent feet operation, mitigating the need for civilian engineers to be continuously aboard ship during aircraft launch operations. CSD provides system diagnostics, launch operations awareness and fault reporting to the EMALS operator, minimizing interruptions to fight deck operations by allowing real-time below-deck troubleshooting. This highly innovative, synchronized and energetic team drove positive outcomes at every step. The team’s strong collaboration with feet users during the design and development process, superior product quality, cyber security and rapid delivery reduced the immediate need for re-architecture of the EMALS software to incorporate this capability.

MOST COLLABORATIVE IPT LEAD

Jason Barnidge Barnidge served as the capability and combat relevance deputy at the H-1 Light/Attack Helicopter Programs Offce (PMA-276). His leadership and ability to partner with multiple government and industry entities was instrumental to the program’s success. He established a software and avionics team, stood up an avionics test facility and coordinated with multiple entities to deliver critical software, communication and munition upgrades to the H-1 platform. In addition, he was infuential in collaborating with industry to obtain access to contractor data rights, enhancing the government’s ability to conduct organic support activities and reducing maintenance costs over the life of the program.

MOST IMPACTFUL SUPERVISOR

Jennifer Russell

Russell’s commitment to excellence and innovation inspires her NAVAIR Career Planning and Development Division team to seek opportunities to learn, grow and improve. She fosters a culture of creativity, fexibility and speed. She led her team through the conception and implementation of Waypoints, which has since been adopted as the Navy’s learning management system. She inspired program managers to lead, relying on their expertise to ensure successful outcomes through clear expectations, guidance and accountability. She overcomes barriers through collaborative and open discussions, embracing unique perspectives and

ideas, and encouraging imaginative solutions. Russell prioritizes her team’s well-being and work/life balance. Her encouraging words and ability to re-prioritize work to accommodate personal challenges cultivates a supportive team environment that truly resembles a family.

SPEED OF CAPABILITY DELIVERY

Program Executive Offce Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons Contingency Operations Team

Team leads: Kelly Ascolese, Travis Blofsky, John Fielder, Robert Galan, Kevin Raspet, Donald J. Sheehan and Kayla Smith

Program Executive Offce Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO(U&W))’s Contingency Operations Team has dynamically leaned forward in the rapid integration, execution and delivery of more than $1 billion in weapons systems, supporting kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the Ukraine, U.S. Indo-Pacifc Command, U.S. Central Command and Israel theaters of operation. From “cocktail napkin” to “weapons on target,” the team spearheaded rapid operational capabilities by innovatively repurposing, changing and employing multiple high technology readiness-level weapon systems, addressing critical capability gaps in weeks vice years. They used delegated authorities under the National Defense Authorization Act and Mid-Tier and Rapid Acquisition Authorities to go fast — enabling game-changing strategic and operational effects — sinking Russian naval assets within 48 days and engaging and destroying Russian- and Iranianmanufactured aviation, ground and maritime platforms within 30 days of contract award.

TECHNICAL INNOVATION

CH-53E Mission Data Extender Team

Team leads: Lt. Cmdr. Neil Whitesell, Lana Combs, Natasha Gould and Matthew Kania

The CH-53E Mission Data Extender Team used a novel set of government and commercial off-the-shelf items to mitigate a “Top 5” partial mission capable degrader, while providing the frst permanently mounted tablet-based primary mission display for a naval aviation platform. The team provided a replacement for legacy capability while enhancing current operational capabilities, reducing cost and schedule of a new mission display. The CH-53E now has an aircraft-powered, Wi-Fi-enabled mission display capable of seamless interoperability with

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several carry-on data terminals, and capable of walkon/walk-off expeditionary mission planning.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

John Van Osch

Van Osch set the standard for workforce development in 2023. The fight controls and fying qualities fight test workforce has suffered from high attrition in recent years. In an effort to combat the ever-decreasing levels of experience, Van Osch spent countless hours with test teams, solving problems collaboratively in an effort to provide timely, relevant training. After recognizing opportunities for on-the-job training were insuffcient to bridge the experience gap, Van Osch designed, built and installed two training simulators, complete with data monitoring workstations. This new, organic capability will accelerate the training of engineers in safety-critical data monitoring positions at an affordable cost.

NAVAIR SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCACY AWARD (INDIVIDUAL)

Eric Kline

Kline, prototype and manufacturing division head, was recognized for developing and implementing the NAVAIR Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Acquisition Tool, which replaced the Unison Marketplace platform for Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD). Because of Eric’s innovation and diligence, NAWCAD experienced minimal interruptions when the Unison Marketplace contract expired. The NAVAIR BPA Acquisition Tool is critical to continued growth of the small business industrial base, because it provides a means to access more than 200 small business vendors who are part of the BPA program. Since the inception of the BPA Acquisition Tool, NAWCAD has observed increased competition on BPA solicitations, facilitating a more diverse rotation of vendors who can provide increased innovation and speed of capability and service delivery. .

NAVAIR SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCACY AWARD (TEAM)

PMA-260 Common Aviation Support Equipment Program Offce

The Common Aviation Support Equipment Program

Offce (PMA-260) continues to partner with numerous small businesses to satisfy a wide range of Navy and Marine Corps requirements for new aviation support equipment. In FY23, PMA-260 obligated $46.5 million on contracts across 31 small businesses, representing 21.9% of the PMA’s total funding. Small business contract awards included service-disabled and veteran-owned small businesses, woman-owned small businesses, historically underutilized business zone small businesses and small disadvantaged businesses. PMA-260’s use of small business represents a strategic advantage – accelerating new capability deliveries to the warfghter and improving readiness with enhanced support equipment for aircraft maintenance and repair, all while strengthening the nation’s vital industrial base.

EDWARD H. HEINEMANN AWARD (TEAM)

Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band Integrated Product Team

The Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band Integrated Product Team implemented a change during developmental testing to the Mid-Band pod design on the EA-18G Growler that saved $3 million in test and engineering investigation costs and six months of fight-testing. The team discovered a loads transfer issue with the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band Aft Pivot Assembly – a pivot arm used to facilitate high-speed jettison. They removed the Aft Pivot Assembly from the design after determining a suitable jettison envelope was still achievable. The team demonstrated exceptional creativity and collaboration across disciplines, working closely with engineering, the program offce and feet operators to provide an acceptable envelope to the feet without a fight test program – delivering a vital capability to the feet rapidly and at reduced cost.

“I talk to the feet, I hear the feedback, I see what’s going on, I see the improvements and outcomes that we are delivering each day,” Chebi said. “The team is doing exceptionally well. Continue to integrate and scale our learning and look for opportunities to improve across this entire organization.”

21 JULY 2024 | PAX RIVER PRESS

The Patuxent Partnership, Associaton of Naval Aviaton and Marine Corps Aviaton Associaton hosted a Naval Aviaton 3-Star Summit in Lexington Park, Maryland. The evening’s theme was “Advancing Naval Aviaton Readiness for the High-End Fight.” Panelists included NAVAIR Commander, Vice Adm. Carl Chebi; Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacifc, and “Air Boss” Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever; Director, Air Warfare Division (N98) Rear Adm. Buzz Donnelly; and Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Aviaton Lt. Gen. Bradford Gering

Future Challenges, Opportunities Discussed at Naval Aviation 3-Star Summit

From NAVAIR Public Affairs

The stars were out for over 200 attendees May 29 at the Naval Aviation 3-Star Summit in Lexington Park, Maryland. The evening’s theme was “Advancing Naval Aviation Readiness for the High-End Fight.”

The event marked the frst-time leaders of the Naval Aviation Enterprise, including NAVAIR Commander, Vice Adm. Carl “Chebs” Chebi; Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacifc and “Air Boss” Vice Adm. Daniel “Undra” Cheever; Director, Air Warfare Division (N98) Rear Adm. Michael “Buzz” Donnelly; and Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lt. Gen. Bradford “Gilla” Gering gathered for the event, hosted by The Patuxent Partnership, Association of Naval Aviation and Marine Corps Aviation Association.

The panel spent 90 minutes addressing a wide range of questions on topics including recruiting and retention, overcoming budget challenges, joint capability development, accelerating capability delivery, unmanned aviation, increased automation

(artifcial intelligence and machine learning), and Live Virtual Constructive Training.

Vice Adm. Chebi opened the discussion with an audience question about improvements to the requirements process to help the naval aviation community be a little more fexible.

“I think that is a very specifc area we need to look at formally,” replied Adm. Donnelly, director of the Air Warfare Division (N98) at the Pentagon. “There is a recognized shortfall in the speed we need to move with innovation…to take advantage of what industry can do. The current process cannot keep up with the way we are doing things right now.”

Chebi said while it is a “long, laborious process, there’s a lot we can effectively apply within the construct of ‘big R’ requirements to get capability out there now. There are so many authorities and fexibilities we can leverage to increase warfghting capability and the availability of our platforms.”

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Air Boss Vice Adm. Cheever then addressed retention and recruiting in naval aviation.

“There are gaps out there. [In the enlisted specialties] we don’t have a lot of young apprentices,” he said.

“So they’re not training to become journeymen and supervisors, and the development is a little slower than we’d like right now. In the offcer ranks, we’re mitigating department head shortages, as well as junior offcer shortages, by assigning temporary duty in key billets. The fexibility and standard of excellence in naval aviation ensures even those who didn’t train with the team, can seamlessly join the team. I’m pulling pros from the bullpen that are really trained and really good.”

From the Marine perspective, Lt. Gen. Gering said, “in aggregate, we’re making our recruiting mission. If you look at our retention goals, we’re making those as well.”

Chebi also asked the panel to discuss budget challenges for Naval and Marine Corps aviation.

“Balancing crisis response with modernization is one of the Commandant’s fve priorities,” Gering said.

“Crisis response is a must pay bill; we must look for trade space in modernization with a fxed top line.”

Chebi was then asked about new collaboration with the other services in future launch weapons solutions.

Donnelly noted an increased level of cooperation in that arena.

“Coming back into the Pentagon from my previous requirements job… I’m pleased at how close we are cooperating with the Air Force, particularly in weapons. We’ve got a partnership in [long-range and penetrating weapons] as well as air-to-air. With our partnered use of the F-35 Lightning II, the ft, form, and function vis-a-vis weapons carriage and delivery match both our needs.”

Donnelly also emphasized partnership with industry.

“I think our industry partners recognize how much the DoD and the services are investing. That partnership has been very helpful, and it’s also included Congress who has given us some legislative authorities for multi-year procurements.”

An audience member asked the panel the status of a replacement for the Navy and Marine T-45 Goshawk training aircraft.

“It’s not just the airframe replacement of the T-45. It’s a holistic, undergraduate training system,” said

Donnelly. “CNATRA is changing its syllabus based on the way people are learning today, adding virtual reality and simulation.” We recognize with the precision landing mode we expect in future fghters… landing on a carrier may not be the most diffcult portion of the mission. We can reduce some of the workload we’re putting into carrier landings, freeing up time to focus on more complex tasks such as information processing and decision making. [It] gives us a holistic new way to look at what we will implement and probably some wider options to consider as a T-45 replacement.”

A question on automation prompted Chebi to advocate for more development of AI and ML.

“The smartest folks in the room are not sitting up here. So please provide us your inputs on ways to do this better. My ask of all of you is to show us what the possibilities are from automation, from AI, from ML, so that we can apply them to our programs.”

“I think where automation can really help us is aviation safety,” Gering said. “And I think the other thing we are struggling with is the tyranny of timedistance logistics in the big fght. I think we could use a lot of help there. We need predictive maintenance. It’s all about logistics, fuel and weapons in the highend fght.

The group later discussed a brief they received via video teleconference with leadership from the deployed Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group.

“My takeaway is, it’s really impressive to see the capability employed today in the Red Sea. We provided that capability by working together toward an outcome that matters – delivering the capability the feet needs, when they need it, so they can deter, fght, win and return home safely,” Chebi said.

“The operations conducted in the Red Sea validate decades of planning, development, and investment that we’ve gotten out of the feet,” Donnelly said. “It validates our ability to react very quickly to recognize the gaps and get solutions back immediately to the feet to give them the advantage we require.”

Billed as a follow-up to the TPP-hosted Defense Summit in March, the 3-Star Summit served to enhance dialog with industry members and educate the public on the importance of naval aviation to national defense.

23 JULY 2024 | PAX RIVER PRESS
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Congratulations!

25 JULY 2024 | PAX RIVER PRESS

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