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NAVAIR Lakehurst junior engineers, scientists visit the fleet

  • Published
  • By Thomas Worsdale
  • NAVAIR Public Affairs Office
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Naval Air System Command Lakehurst's newly hired junior engineers and scientists had the unique opportunity to tour the USS George W. Bush (CVN 77) and the USS Bataan (LHD 5) this past month.

During the Labor Day holiday week, 36 Acquisition Intern Program and Engineer and Scientist Developmental Program members visited these ships for an indoctrination of support equipment, aircraft intermediate maintenance department spaces and aircraft launch and recovery equipment spaces and equipment. These engineers and scientists met with Sailors and fleet tech representatives who shared their experiences, challenges and knowledge of the unique operational environments associated with SE and ALRE. The junior engineers and scientists got to see first-hand how their efforts will impact the critical support they provide to the fleet. This glimpse of operational life aboard a ship will enable them to become more familiar with fleet challenges and understand the issues Sailors face on a daily basis.

The SE and ALRE unique workforce includes close to 100 direct pier-side fleet support personnel who work daily with fleet personnel. Their assistance in working with the NAVAIR Lakehurst Workforce Development Team was invaluable in arranging and conducting these tours.

Aboard the CVN 77, Sailors explained the operation and maintenance of ALRE to the touring engineers and scientists. They addressed functions such as catapults, arresting gear, visual landing aids, jet blast deflectors, information systems and the challenges associated with aircraft and ship integration. While touring AIMD spaces, fleet personnel discussed the evolution of consolidated automated support systems; the ship's primary avionics test equipment, and the changing requirements associated with new aircraft entering the fleet. While on the LHD 5, Cmdr. Dan Olson, the ship's air boss, explained the constraints on multipurpose amphibious assault ship such as hangar bay deck space, spotting factors for MV-22 Osprey aircraft, and the different uses of ALRE and SE technology that exist aboard nuclear powered aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. Olson stated that he "fully supports NAVAIR Lakehurst's goal of getting their newly hired engineers and scientists out to the fleet as quickly as possible."

Joining the tours were NAVAIR professional development group chairperson, Valerie Rafalko, and co-chair, Jay Chu.

"My fellow interns and peers were enthusiastic about getting the opportunity to see the systems, how they are used and getting the Sailors' perspective on our products," said Rafalko. The discussions with fleet personnel who shared their experiences were invaluable."

Kathleen Donnelly, director, Aircraft launch recovery equipment, senior executive service, is a strong supporter of the workforce development efforts to recruit, develop and quickly assimilate new engineers and scientists into the workforce. These tours are proving to be a major tool in executing this goal. The NAVAIR Lakehurst Workforce Development Team has established an innovative approach to provide employees with a first-hand look at naval operations. Based on the success of these indoctrination tours, NAVAIR Lakehurst will continue scheduling newly hired engineers and scientists, and is expanding its invitation to other AIR 4.8 sites.