JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer saw the latest in Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) during a visit to the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst here Aug. 17.
Spencer was joined by Sen. Robert Menendez for an overview of NAWCAD Lakehurst and a tour of the land-based test sites for the Navy’s newest aircraft launch and recovery systems, the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG).
EMALS and AAG are progressing through comprehensive test programs at the Lakehurst test sites. Most recently, the AAG team successfully executed the Performance Testing phase to ensure the C-2A Greyhound, E-2C Hawkeye and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye can safely land aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).
“It is truly great to be here and see the impressive work being done here at Lakehurst,“ said Spencer. “What you do directly contributes to the warfighters across the Navy-Marine Corps enterprise and helps provide the maritime dominance and power projection required by the Nation.”
Senior Executive for Navy Support Equipment (SE) and ALRE Kathleen P. Donnelly led the leadership team accompanying the visitors. She was joined by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) SE and ALRE Department Military Director U.S. Navy Capt. Brad J. Kidwell, JB MDL Deputy Commander and Naval Support Activity (NSA) Lakehurst Commanding Officer Capt. Muhammad Khan, Program Manager for the ALRE Program Office (PMA 251) Capt. Kenneth B. Sterbenz and NAWCAD Lakehurst Site Director Mauricio Borrero.
“It was an honor to have Secretary Spencer visit Lakehurst to see the work behind our truly dedicated and talented team that is bringing the next generation of Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment systems to the fleet,” said Donnelly.