Officials Announce DOD Maintenance Award Winners

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28, 2012 – Pentagon officials today announced the 2012 winners of the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards for depot and field-level units.

The awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding achievements in weapon system and military equipment maintenance, officials said.

The 2012 Robert T. Mason Depot Maintenance Excellence Award recipient is the Air Force's C-130 Programmed Depot Maintenance Team at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Ga. During 2011, the team increased C-130 aircraft availability by returning 64 aircraft to operating units, reduced in-progress work from 41 to 36 aircraft, slashed flow days from 102 to 69 days, achieved 100 percent on-time delivery by the end of the fiscal year, and lowered customer-reported deficiencies by 60 percent despite increased operational and repair demands on the aging C-130 fleet.

The team also expanded the use of dedicated crews, incorporated high-velocity maintenance concepts into the main production line and consolidated widely scattered production facilities, freeing valuable space for other workloads.

The depot-level award is named for Robert T. Mason, a former assistant deputy undersecretary of defense for maintenance policy, programs, and resources. Mason served as the champion of organic depot maintenance for three decades and was instrumental in transforming the department’s organic depot-level operations, officials said.

This year's winners of Secretary of Defense Field-level Maintenance Awards are:

-- The 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Division South, Fort Hood, Texas, and the 23rd Maintenance Group, Moody Air Force Base, Ga., in the large-unit category;

-- Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 40, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in the medium-unit category; and

-- Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven 7, Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., and the 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, in the small-unit category.

The awards will be presented at a Nov. 15 banquet during the 2012 DOD Maintenance Symposium and Exhibition in Grand Rapids, Mich.

NAVSEA Achieves Surface Ship Maintenance Process Milestone

From Surface Maintenance Engineering Planning Program

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) completed a 20-week selected restricted availability Jan. 27, becoming the first surface ship to complete a shipyard availability using a new maintenance process.

The process, known as the Baseline Availability Work Package (BAWP)/Availability Work Package (AWP), is designed to ensure each ship receives all required maintenance at the correct point in its life cycle to improve operational availability and reduced maintenance costs over the life of the ship.

The BAWP identifies and mandates all required lifecycle assessments and maintenance for each ship. The BAWP is then used to create a work package, the AWP, for each specific availability.

As part of NAVSEA's effort to sustain the current surface fleet, the Surface Maintenance Engineering Planning Program (SURFMEPP), is phasing in the BAWP/AWP process throughout the entire surface force to support meeting each surface ship's expected service life.

"I'm very pleased to report this successful milestone, a key step in the maturation of the end-to-end process," said SURFMEPP Commanding Officer Capt. Michael L. Malone. "This new process ensures each ship receives the critical maintenance it needs and steers the fleet toward the most effective use of its maintenance dollars."

Implementation of the BAWP/AWP process in planning availabilities is a critical new component of the fleet maintenance program, and is essential to ensuring each surface ship reaches its expected service life. As of February 2012, 65 ships are utilizing the new process, with an eventual goal of 150 ships by fiscal year 2014.

SURFMEPP, a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command, is responsible for managing the long-term maintenance requirements for ships in the surface fleet.

Navy Advances Electrical Protection for Shipboard Sailors

From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Sailors aboard U.S. Navy ships soon will have new protective clothing for low voltage maintenance work, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) announced, Jan 26.

A new type of coverall featuring flame resistant fabric and accompanying safety equipment will provide Sailors greater comfort and protection against arc flashes. Sailors will be able to use the coveralls like standard shipboard coveralls while conducting initial voltage verification checks, fuse removal, authorized energized work, or when an electrical circuit breaker is installed or removed.

"The new electrical safety coveralls are designed for initial voltage verification or approved work on energized equipment, and are designed to protect Sailors from inherent heat, excessive pressure," said Khosrow Moniri, NAVSEA electrical systems technical warrant holder.

Sailors can expect to use the coveralls and associated equipment such as a face shield by late spring, on board naval ships with electrical systems between 300 and 1,000 volts, such as Arleigh Burke destroyers.

The clothing compliments existing heavier and bulkier coveralls designed for high voltage verification checks on board naval ships with electrical systems greater than 1,000 volts, such as aircraft carriers.

The low- and high-voltage coveralls are rated at 12-calorie and 40-calorie (per centimeter squared). NAVSEA determined that these ratings adequately provide the required amount of thermal energy protection based on National Fire Protection Association and U.S. naval warship design criteria. The calorie/cm-squared rating represents a value of the energy necessary to pass through any given fabric to cause a 50 percent probability of a second or third degree burn.

Both types of coveralls protect Sailors against arc flashes, which occur when an electrical current passes through air gaps between ungrounded conductors or between conductors and grounded components. Use of electrical systems on board U.S. Navy ships is increasing rapidly. Accordingly, the probability of arc flashes increases as well. The blast or explosion that results from arc flash may be fatal or cause major injuries such as burns, the loss of eyesight and hearing.

"While arc flashes don't happen often, this new safety equipment represents a significant advancement in how we protect our Sailors," said Moniri.

Air Guard's 174th Fighter Wing writing the book on Air Force MQ-9 maintenance

By Air National Guard Capt. Anthony L. Bucci
174th Fighter Wing

HANCOCK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Syracuse, NY -- Since Hancock Field Air National Guard Base converted from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the MQ-9 Reaper, the flight line has become more silent and there has been a noticeable reduction in the level of aircraft maintenance activity on the base.

However, that all began to change recently as the unit commenced MQ-9 flying operations at Wheeler-Sack Army Air Field at Fort Drum, N.Y., and the 174th FW Maintenance Group resumed a more normal maintenance posture on base.

"Our maintenance personnel have contributed to the creating and/or validation of approximately 80 percent of all maintenance technical data for the U. S. Air Force in regards to maintenance for the MQ-9," said Air Force Maj. Tim Martin, 174th Fighter Wing Aircraft maintenance squadron commander.

Currently, the 174th Fighter Wing flies at its training range located at WSAAF with 174th Fighter Wing maintenance personnel positioned there to assist with necessary maintenance requirements. However, when more in-depth maintenance needs to be done those aircraft are boxed up and transported back to Hancock Field where 174th Fighter Wing maintenance troops begin the more arduous maintenance work. As a result of this maintenance activity, the unit has been generating a significant amount of technical data concerning the proper maintenance of the MQ-9.

"We are importing what the U. S. Air Force is using as it relates to the MQ-9 for technical data, maintenance procedures, etc., as well as providing improvements for the overall care and maintenance of the MQ-9," said Martin.

As the unit continues to fly at WSAAF, the maintenance tempo has picked up dramatically to include pre and post-flight maintenance in addition to maintenance issues that have never been seen before. In fact, the unit has submitted more than 100 engineering requests during the past two years for technical data on how to fix certain issues with the MQ-9 - in comparison to the F-16, which the unit only submitted three engineering requests during the unit's some 20 years of flying the aircraft.

"The maintenance personnel here at Hancock Field are becoming the subject matter experts for the MQ-9, while working very closely with the U. S. Air Force and General Atomics. These maintainers have a vested interest in the technical data that is being written for this aircraft and they take that responsibility very seriously, knowing they have the potential in helping to decide the proper and safest procedures for maintaining the MQ-9," Martin said.

The MQ-9 is a medium-to-high altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft system. The Reaper's primary missions are close air support, air interdiction, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR. It acts as a Joint Forces Air Component commander-owned theater asset for reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of the Joint Forces commander.

The turboprop-powered, multi-mission Predator B Unmanned Aircraft System was developed with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., funding and provides significantly greater capabilities than Predator.

First flown in 2001, Predator B is a highly sophisticated development built on the experience gained with GA-ASI's battle-proven Predator UAS and a major evolutionary leap in overall performance and reliability.

With an operational ceiling of 50,000 feet, and higher cruising speed, the MQ-9 can cover a larger area, under all weather conditions carrying payloads of more than 1.5 tons. The aircraft is powered by a single Honeywell TP331-10 engine, which provides a maximum airspeed of 260 knots and a cruise speed for maximum endurance of 150-170 knots.

This aircraft has been acquired by the Air Force, Navy, Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the Royal Air Force and the Italian Air Force.

Annual 'Mega Rust' Conference Seeks Tools, Processes to Curb Corrosion

From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Military, government and industry experts convened for the seventh consecutive year to discuss the latest technologies and preventative methods to combat damaging rust at the annual Mega Rust Corrosion Conference in Norfolk, Va., June 6-9.

The conference focuses on corrosion planning in acquisition as well as the reduction of total ownership costs through preventative measures.

Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) commander and keynote speaker, led the group in technical discussions.

"With 73 percent of our Navy's 313-ship Navy already in today's fleet, it is critical that our ships maintain full operational readiness to meet our projected missions," said McCoy. "By harnessing new preservation technologies as well as refining our acquisition, engineering and design practices, we can mitigate corrosion costs and maximize the material readiness of the fleet."

Leaders and technical warrant holders from across the NAVSEA's enterprise, such as the Engineering Directorate; Submarine Maintenance Engineering Planning and Procurement Activity; Naval Surface Warfare Center; and Regional Maintenance Center, led a number of presentations, technical sessions and discussions.

Rear Adm. James McManamon, NAVSEA Surface Warfare deputy commander, discussed some of the recent initiatives the command has implemented to reduce corrosion as well as the need for an integrated corrosion control approach across commands and programs to attain expected service life.

"Corrosion control must become a way of life and must be viewed, resourced, and managed as a critical mission across the surface fleet," said McManamon. "Right now we are focusing efforts on developing and executing a standardized preservation plan to maintain and sustain the highest level of surface force preservation across asset life cycles. We need a common approach to combat corrosion and to best utilize the Navy's scarce maintenance dollars."

Other corrosion-control initiatives discussed by McManamon were implementation of watertight door coatings; single-coat, edge-retentive high-solid epoxy coating paint system; installation of electronic corrosion-control tank monitoring systems; installation of additional internal and external deck drains for deck preservation; and the establishment of corrosion control assist teams to follow up on survey reports, provide crews training, tools, equipment and technical support to accomplish perseveration requirements.

These efforts will be further leveraged by the Corrosion Control Knowledge Sharing Network, a multi-agency working group to coordinate, manage and focus corrosion mitigation efforts on the areas that are most advantageous across the surface fleet.

In addition to NAVSEA participation, Mega Rust 2011 included representatives from all of the Navy's system commands, U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

The four-day event also featured vendor exhibits, corrosion workforce certification courses, and working group taskings.

The Mega Rust conference was established in 2005 by consolidating four major corrosion control conferences into one event to create a more comprehensive forum on corrosion. Working groups established at the conference provide a coordinated and practical accounting for what's happening across the Navy, and the data accumulated by these groups provides planning and budgeting metrics.

Navy Conducts Maintenance and Modernization Performance Review

From Navy Regional Maintenance Command (NRMC) Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center (CNRMC) and the Executive Director of Surface Warfare for Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA-SEA 21B) participated in the Navy's inaugural maintenance and modernization performance review (MMPR) in San Diego, April 26-27.

Capt. David Gale, commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center; and Bilyana Anderson, executive director, NAVSEA-SEA 21B; spoke to more than one hundred military, civilian and contract personnel who are involved in all facets of surface ship maintenance and modernization.

"The failure point for us is anyone here today who doesn't see they are a part of this important effort," said Gale. "Whether you are a member of ship's force, a commanding officer of a ship or regional maintenance center (RMC), a type commander representative, contractor, or port engineer; we all play a critical role in getting maintenance right."

Gale and Anderson encouraged all MMPR participants to engage in frank and open discussions during the event in an effort to better identify performance gaps that were discernible during maintenance availabilities and to, in turn, provide solutions for RMCs' and ships' respective challenges.

"As the end-to-end process that is surface ship maintenance and modernization continues to evolve, we need to standardize and align our practices," said Gale. "From the way we train our workforce to the way we identify maintenance work, we need to work together to support ships and sustain their service lives."

Program managers and port engineers from each of the RMCs were among those who briefed detailed data on their recent maintenance availabilities.

Among the multitude of topics discussed during the course of the MMPR were the successes and challenges of various ships' maintenance availabilities, the surface ship maintenance initiative, total ship readiness assessments, multi-ship/multi-option contracts, and NRMC's development of a standardized workforce development program.

Between briefs, Anderson spoke to the MMPR attendees about program changes within Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), and the ways those changes would impact funding for future surface ship maintenance work.

Anderson also encouraged the use of valid and reliable metrics, along with well-defined and standardized practices to improve the likelihood of proper funding and contract coverage for maintenance availabilities.

"We are completely aligned; we have resources available to support your efforts," said Anderson. "I'd like to ask for each of you to share in our sense of passion and urgency, and acknowledge there should be an agreement among us about the best ways we can support each other in sustaining our surface fleet and commit ourselves to moving forward."

Gale concluded the conference by reinforcing his message encouraging quality through partnership, alignment and quantifiable performance.

"We want to work together in a standardized, repeatable way to ensure our engineering and work certification processes are uniform," said Gale. "We want to ensure our ships are ready to go to sea on time, with the right degree of quality at the right cost.

"Our work here at the MMPR is about laying bear to our individual and collective maintenance issues, and identifying ways to mitigate and resolve them in the most expedient and efficient manner possible," said Gale.

The next MMPR event will be held in Newport News, Va., in November 2011.