Last modified Wed., October 25, 2006 - 04:12 PM
Originally created Thursday, October 26, 2006

Naval Air Depot Jacksonville transitions to Fleet Readiness Center Southeast

By Frank Taormina, FRCSE Public Affairs Specialist

Commander, Fleet Readiness Center Capt. John Scanlan II and Fleet Readiness Center Command Master Chief AFCM Richard Grace unfurl the Fleet Readiness Center's new flag. Photos by Frank Taormina

On Oct. 20, Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC) held a ceremony to stand-up Fleet Readiness Center, Southeast (FRCSE) aboard NAS Jacksonville. In transitioning to FRCSE, the former Naval Air Depot Jacksonville has completed its most significant change in the 66 years it has been doing business. Becoming a Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) is more than just a name change. The stand-up has established a partnership of aviation maintenance teams which includes intermediate-level technicians and depot-level artisans.

''We are embarking on the most significant and aggressive transformation in naval aviation maintenance in decades,'' said COMFRC Commander Rear Adm. Michael Hardee. ''Partnering up our military and civilian maintainers to create these centers creates the kind of ''all star'' team naval aviation needs for greater efficiency, agility, and velocity of operations.''

FRCSE includes aviation maintenance detachments at NAS Jacksonville, NS Mayport and NAS Key West. NAS Brunswick, Maine, which is slated to close, will also merge its aviation maintenance detachment with FRCSE as Brunswick's air wing relocates to Jacksonville. In addition, private sector partners are bringing additional workload and investment to FRCSE due to its proven track record of being a reliable and cost effective producer.

''It's fitting that we're here at Jacksonville today for the stand-up of FRCSE. Many firsts in naval aviation have occurred here in the Jacksonville area and today that spirit lives on with another first that will ensure our naval aviation enterprise continues to excel in supporting fleet operations while shaping our Navy for another century of service,'' said Rear Adm. H. Denby Starling II, commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. You're delivering aircraft ready for tasking faster and with greater reliability than ever before, and equally as important, you're reducing the total cost of doing so for the Navy.''

Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers Rear Adm. Michael Hardee prepares to cut the ceremonial cake as Commander, Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Capt. John Scanlan II, left, and Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet Rear Adm. H. Denby Starling look on.

In 2005 the Base Realignment and Closure Commission called for the establishment of FRCs in an effort to integrate Naval Air Depots and the Continental United States Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachments into a consolidated organization for shore-based, off-flight line maintenance. This successful venture eliminates duplicative maintenance practices, decreases turnaround time, and enables the FRCs to support the warfighter by maintaining a higher level of combat-ready aircraft at a reduced cost. In February 2006, the Naval Aviation Enterprise Board of Directors approved this concept of operations, which was developed by the Naval Air Systems Command's Commander for Aviation Depots. In August 2006, the Office of the Secretary of Defense approved the FRC business plan.

FRCSE is the third of five FRCs to stand up following the establishment of COMFRC. The other FRCs include FRC West, Northwest, Mid-Atlantic and East.

Upon accepting command of FRCSE, Capt. John Scanlan II stated, ''Getting things done means that each and every one of us must make a commitment to maintain total focus on delivering our product. We will not forget our purpose or our mission. The men and women of FRCSE are committed to excellence and prepared to accept the responsibilities involved with the new voyage.''