FRCE Materials Engineering Division Boosts Aircraft Performance, Efficiency, Safety
By | April 10, 2024
For those working in Fleet Readiness Center East’s (FRCE) Materials Engineering Division, the answers to complex questions can often be found by focusing on the smallest of details. Analysis of a microscopic fracture or the precise identification of a material’s elemental components can lead to enhanced aircraft performance, efficiency and safety that benefit the entire fleet.
FRCSW/FRCSE Complete Final F/A-18 Hornet Center Barrel Replacement
By | Dec. 19, 2023
Whether due to its all-weather versatility and reliability, or its run with the renowned flight demonstration team, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the F/A-18 Hornet has been a combat-proven platform for the Navy and Marine Corps for many years.
It is a historic aircraft with an extensive past—one that would certainly not be as long or successful without a service life extension process called Center Barrel Replacement (CBR)—a complex and lengthy repair developed in 1991 by Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) and conducted exclusively by artisans at FRCSW and Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE).
In fact, FRCSE and FRCSW both recently completed their last legacy F/A-18 CBR.
First Full Paint Scheme Performed on Unmanned Helicopter at FRCSW
By | Dec. 19, 2023
This year, Fleet Readiness Center South West (FRCSW) became the first depot to complete a full paint scheme for an MQ-8C Fire Scout. FRCSW artisans meticulously stripped and painted the aircraft, a task crucial for its longevity and operational readiness.
FRCE Engine Inspection Training Key to Aircraft Safety
By | Sept. 7, 2023
Training developed and conducted at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) has made a real-world impact on flight line readiness. The training provides the Marine Corps with the capabilities to bolster the number of mission-capable AV-8B Harriers while ensuring aircraft safety, and is now being applied to next-generation aircraft including the F-35 Lightning II.
FRCE Engine Inspection Training Key to Aircraft Safety
By | Sept. 7, 2023
Training developed and conducted at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) has made a real-world impact on flight line readiness. The training provides the Marine Corps with the capabilities to bolster the number of mission-capable AV-8B Harriers while ensuring aircraft safety, and is now being applied to next-generation aircraft including the F-35 Lightning II.
FRCE Ground Support Shop Equips Aircraft Lines for Success
By | Sept. 7, 2023
A small team of mechanics at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) keeps the production lines rolling at the aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility. FRCE’s Ground Support Branch repairs and maintains the vital ground support equipment used to move aircraft, transport parts, test systems and perform other critical functions that support aircraft production efforts at the depot.
FRCE Marks First with Adoption of Battery-Powered Ground Power Units
By | Sept. 7, 2023
Fleet Readiness Center East’s (FRCE) UH-1N Huey production line is swapping out diesel-powered ground power units (GPU) for a sustainable alternative with the recent purchase of battery-powered GPUs, becoming the first adapter of this technology within the Naval Aviation community.
FRCSW Receives Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award
By Janina Lamoglia | Sept. 7, 2023
Since the 1950s, the Naval Aviation Safety Program has been enhancing the safety of aviation officers through risk assessment, investigation and reporting of hazardous events. The Aviation Safety Program at Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) takes these safety tenants to heart. The command knows just how important each employee is at every level of the operation and makes every effort to ensure their ongoing safety.
FRCE Selected as Depot Source of Repair for New Air Force Combat Rescue Helicopter
By By Naval Air Systems Command; and Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers | June 22, 2023
The Air Force recently selected Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) as the stateside depot source of repair (DSOR) for the HH-60W Jolly Green II, the air service’s new combat rescue platform. FRCE will conduct all helicopter airframe programmed depot maintenance for Jolly Green II aircraft located within the continental United States, which represents about 70 percent of the platform’s total expected workload.
FRCE Secures Future Components Workload for Air Force MH-139A Grey Wolf
By Fleet Readiness Center East | June 22, 2023
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recently secured designation as the Depot Source of Repair (DSOR) for 81 major structural and dynamic components of the Air Force MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter, the planned replacement for the UH-1N Huey. FRCE performs maintenance, repair and overhaul of the legacy UH-1N platform at its North Carolina Global TransPark detachment in Kinston. Current projections place the start date for the new work in fiscal year 2028.
FRCE Secures Future C-130 Workload, Plans for 200-Plus New Jobs
By Fleet Readiness Center East | June 22, 2023
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) will expand its support of military aviators when the depot takes on maintenance, repair and overhaul duties for Navy and Marine Corps C/KC-130J Super Hercules and C/KC-130T Hercules aircraft. Navy officials announced March 17 that FRCE will serve as the designated repair point for the platform. The depot could begin the new workload as soon as the end of fiscal year 2026.
From Demo to Depot: New Application of Cold Spray Technology Arrives at FRCE
By Fleet Readiness Center East | June 22, 2023
Following years of rigorous testing and evaluation, a cold spray metallization technology that was initially demonstrated at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) is now being fielded on the H-1 line at the depot’s detachment on board Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina.
FRCE Marks 100th F-35 Parachute Milestone
By Fleet Readiness Center East | June 22, 2023
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) marked a milestone in its support of the F-35 Lightning II program when the depot recently completed its 100th F-35 parachute repack.
CVW-7, FRCSW Complete First of its Kind Aircraft Repairs at Sea
By Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard Rodger | March 23, 2023
Artisans from Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) completed first-of-its-kind repairs at sea on an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136, Jan. 9. They repaired damages from an in-flight starboard engine fire that occurred on Aug. 31, 2022, cutting down repair times and preserving the operational readiness and mission capabilities of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7.
FRCE Conducts Test Run of CH-53K Engine Disassembly
By | March 23, 2023
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recently opened a new chapter in the depot’s engine program with its first disassembly of the T408 engine, which powers the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter.
FRCE Bearing Shop Supports the Fleet One Bearing at a Time
By | March 23, 2023
Fleet Readiness Center East’s Bearing Shop is a place where success or failure can be measured in thousandths of an inch. In this shop, bearings—used on vehicles that operate in the air, on land and at sea—are inspected, measured and analyzed with a painstaking attention to detail by a small team of highly trained professionals.
FRCE’s H-53 Military Branch Keeps the Fleet Ready to Fight
By Fleet Readiness Center East | Dec. 21, 2022
The CH-53 Sea Stallion and MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopters have been mainstays of the Navy and Marine Corps for decades. On any day, these heavy lift helicopters can be seen around the world performing a wide variety of critical missions.
FRCSW First Depot to Tackle Super Hornet Service Life Modification
By | Oct. 3, 2022
When the artisans, engineers and support staff of Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) inducted their final F/A-18 legacy (A-D model) Hornet fighter to undergo the Center Barrel Replacement (CBR) procedure last March, they probably thought they could take a break.
FRCSE Steps Up to Support Rolls-Royce in Meeting Fleet Requirements
By | Oct. 3, 2022
More than 40 artisans with Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) were deployed to Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville, Texas, during a year-long effort to assist Rolls-Royce in meeting the fleet demand of 145 ready-for-issue (RFI) F405 engines powering the T-45 Goshawk.
Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Launches Ground Check Huts
By | Oct. 3, 2022
Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) recently received five new environmental protection shelters or ground check huts. The shelters aren’t just new to FRCSE, but they are the first of their kind aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida.
FRCSW Sets Sights on Growler Mishap Repair
By | Oct. 3, 2022
Less than 35 days after inducting a CMV-22 Osprey aircraft to repair a crack to an inner skin panel, Fleet Readiness Center Southwest’s (FRCSW) unique refurbishing capabilities and resources were tapped by the Navy once again—this time to repair an EA-18G Growler involved in a flight deck mishap.
FRCE Marks Maintenance Firsts with V-22 Repairs
By | Oct. 3, 2022
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) is gearing up to return an MV-22 Osprey to the fleet after conducting a wing-off stow ring replacement on the aircraft, the first completion of this procedure by a Naval Aviation depot. In another inaugural depot-level repair, FRCE artisans tackled corrosion on the aircraft’s K-fittings with the wing off, rather than the standard wing-on method; this required a novel approach to the process.
FRCE’s F-35 Rapid Response Team Makes Global Impact on Flight Line Readiness
By | Oct. 3, 2022
As the number of operational F-35 Lightning II aircraft in the Navy and Marine Corps continues to rise, the number of missions flown increases—and with them, the requirements for maintenance and repair.
The requirement for in-service repair and the need to mend battle damage don’t always come at a convenient time, or in a convenient location, and that’s where the F-35 Rapid Response Team (RRT) comes in. This team of highly skilled, cross-trained aircraft maintenance professionals stands ready to answer the call for support anywhere in the world at any time.
FRCE Declares Capabilities on Next Round of F-35 Components
By | Oct. 3, 2022
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) has expanded its support of next-generation Naval Aviation by declaring capabilities on a new round of F-35 components. These capabilities build upon the 17 F-35 components the depot previously declared capabilities on in 2020.
FRCSW Inducts First CMV-22 to Suffer Mishap
By | May 11, 2022
Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) artisans and the Fleet Support Team (FST) recently joined industry partners and the V-22 Joint Program Office to prevent the loss of an CMV-22 Osprey aircraft which had suffered damage during a mishap.
FRCE Achieves Safety Milestone in 2021
By | May 11, 2022
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) closed out calendar year 2021 with the lowest number of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordable mishaps in the depot’s history.
Creative Engineering Solution at FRCE Overcomes Shortage of V-22 APU Filters
By | May 11, 2022
A supply shortage of clutch servo-valve filters for V-22 Osprey auxiliary power units (APU) threatened to keep a number of aircraft on the ground, until the APU group of the V-22 Fleet Support Team at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) found a way to clean the disposable filters and reinstall them on the aircraft.