The Navy team that makes it possible for deployed aircraft to launch and land in any terrain was honored with a Naval Air Systems Command award June 20.
The Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment’s Expeditionary Airfields, or EAF team, located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, received the NAVAIR Commander’s award for small business advocacy during a ceremony held at NAVAIR headquarters in Patuxent River, Md.
“The many small businesses that support EAF are valuable members of the EAF team that has accomplished so much during this period,” said Bruce Chiodi, EAF team lead. “They have provided the quality products that have allowed the EAF Marines to meet their missions time and time again, as was demonstrated both in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
EAF is a shore-based, aviation support system that allows rapid deployment and recovery of aircraft within range of ground forces, usually overseas.
According to the award nomination submission, the EAF team recognized and fostered the importance of supporting small business programs. They utilized all available resources to successfully locate new and viable small business opportunities. The team, along with ALRE contracting and program management, worked closely with the NAVAIR office of small business programs to initiate long-term contracting vehicles and flexible strategies to meet the immediate requirements of the Marine Corps.
“The EAF team is a group of enthusiastic individuals who have actively embraced the use of small business over the past several years,” said Jen Vaccaro, contracts team lead. “By contracting directly with the small businesses, contract lead-time has been reduced enabling faster product delivery to the warfighter.”
EAF members examined market research and located small business resources that could deliver high quality products and services in a timely fashion to support their ultimate mission – to equip the Marine Corps and support naval aviation with the flexibility and capability to rapidly deploy and create survivable, self-sustaining airfields in austere environments.
Although EAF can be as basic as a grass landing zone to support helicopter operations, the installation of one or more subsystems adds versatility and/or durability to the site. EAF equipment provides not only mobile matting, but also arresting gear and lighting for runway guidance.
“I have been with the EAF team for less than a year, but I find myself working with a group of professionals that work tirelessly to provide the Marines with the support they deserve,” said Chiodi.
