Bringing Sailors Together For Better Focus

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) F/A-18 and EA-18G program office (PMA-265) is integrating the Naval Aviation Integrated Improvement Program (NAVRIIP) into many of its efforts.

The command-wide NAVRIIP is designed to improve readiness across the fleet by bringing personnel together, to focus on common key issues and work towards developing enterprise solutions and cross-functional tools.

"It used to be everybody did ‘their own thing'," said Cmdr. C.J. Jaynes, PMA-265 Fleet Support deputy program manager. "The F/A-18 Program Office had their own set standards of conducting business, and the fleet was doing it their way. Now we have NAVICP [Naval Inventory Control Point], the fleet, the TYCOM [type commanders], the wings, and the program office — everybody is working together to resolve issues."

The F/A-18 Type Model Series team is one of the areas where NAVRIIP is being incorporated. The team meets twice a month with the fleet commodores, F/A-18 program office and NAVICP. The F/A-18 Marine Squadrons, MALs [Marine Aviation Logistic Squadrons] 11 and 31, are also involved. Items discussed are usually concerns about Ready for Training aircraft (RFT) and pilot reports. The object of the meeting is to make sure that fleet needs are met to enable them to carry out their mission successfully.

"If there is an issue where they don't have enough RFT aircraft, then it's our responsibility to make sure they get what they need," said Jaynes. "Our job is to make sure we use our resources effectively to meet the fleet's needs."

The F/A-18 and EA-18 G program office is leading the way on another NAVRIIP concept called Product Enterprise Teams. The teams' objective is to take a specific system and evaluate how it can be improved. Cost-wise readiness plays a major role in the program office's use of NAVRIIP's specific teaming; specifically, aligning maintenance capabilities with location and finding the smartest way to perform these functions. During the Cost-Wise Readiness team meetings, participants are asked not to accept the norm, but to re-evaluate systems and challenge processes.

"For instance, you take a radar system and look at everything associated with it individually. You look at the publications, at the maintenance plan, at the supply chain, and the repair process," explained Jaynes. "The objective is to see if it's being repaired efficiently and effectively. It's looking at every single aspect of a system and trying to make it better."

"NAVRIIP is a total command responsibility," added Jaynes. "It can't just be one group worrying about it. It has to be everybody from the three-star admiral all the way down to the airmen on the deck. Everyone has to be engaged, actively engaged, and working the process in order to achieve the mission."

FMI: www.navy.mil