TPP’s Fleet Readiness Briefing Draws More than 200

Readiness, the state of being fully prepared, was the topic of  The Patuxent Partnership briefing earlier this month.

Rear Adm. Paul Sohl, Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (FRC), Brig. Gen. Greg Masiello, Asst. Commander, Logistics and Industrial Operations (AIR 6.0) and Mr. Dennis West, Deputy Commander, FRC conducted the briefing which drew more than 200 community and industry representatives from Southern Maryland to the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center.

Ready Basic Aircraft (RBA) was the hot topic throughout the discussion, with statistics mapping out requirements versus availability. Brig. Gen. Masiello pointed out that readiness is one of the top priorities of VADM Paul Grosklags, Commander of Naval Air Systems Command. Brig Gen Masiello highlighted that point by saying our fleet must “be ready to fight tonight,” a goal that FRC and AIR 6.0 take full responsibility for and continue to perfect.

“Vision 2020” is an initiative by FRC, which will “take the organization from a stove piped configuration to a rapid, affordable, globally focused organization,” Mr. West said. Global maintenance management, optimize capability and capacity and workforce proficiency are the major points in Vision 2020.

Mr. West and Brig. Gen. Masiello conducted research in commercial companies, such as American Airlines, with the mission to better the system for maintaining military aircraft. “American Airlines only has 27 planes on the ground at any time and they have thousands of flights a day,” said Brig. Gen. Masiello, “we have hundreds of aircraft waiting for maintenance at any time.”

Both Mr. West and Brig. Gen. Masiello asked for industry’s assistance in brainstorming a solution to this problem. “We want to hear any and all ideas you have,” they said.

Following the brief, the audience asked the panelists questions covering topics about industry involvement in providing solutions and FRC culture shift away from acquisition to sustainment of aircraft.

RADM Paul Sohl was the last person to leave the program, making sure he spoke to each person waiting, answering questions well after the conclusion of the program.

The Navy’s eight FRCs, with locations on the US east and west coasts and in Japan, conduct maintenance, repair and overhaul of US Navy aircraft, engines, components and support equipment. Each year roughly 6,500 Sailors and Marines over haul and repair nearly 1,000 aircraft, thousands of engines and several hundred thousand components valued at approximately $4 billion.

TPP fosters collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and expertise across a diverse network that includes government, industry and academia. TPP also supports STEM education and workforce development within the local community including hosting programs of interest to NAVAIR, NAWCAD and the broader DoD community.

To learn more about The Patuxent Partnerships and its programs visit their Leader Page.