LEXINGTON PARK, Md. (Feb. 9, 2016)—Readiness—the state of being fully prepared—was the topic of the Patuxent Partnership (TPP) briefing, on Feb. 2 with 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.
Ready Basic Aircraft (RBA) was the hot topic throughout the discussion, with statistics mapping out requirements versus availability of RBA. Masiello pointed out that one of Vice Adm. Grosklags', Commander of Naval Air Systems Command, highest priorities is readiness, highlighting 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," West said. Global maintenance management, optimize capability and capacity and workforce proficiency are the major points in Vision 2020.
West and 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 Masiello, "we have hundreds of aircraft waiting for maintenance at any time."
Both West and 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.
Rear Adm. 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 U.S. east and west coasts and in Japan, conduct maintenance, repair and overhaul of U.S. 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.