Carolina Kitty Presents

NADEP, Cherry Point
Historical Background



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Welcome to:
"The Carolina Depot"

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For more than 50 years, the Naval Aviation Depot at Cherry Point, North Carolina, has carried on its proud tradition of service to the nation's fighting forces. The depot provides extensive maintenance and engineering support to Navy and Marine Corps aviation, as well as other armed services, federal agencies and foreign governments.

State-of-the-art technology and a skilled work force team up to ensure that the depot is without equal in providing quality, cost-effective support.

Our employees display a great deal of professionalism and pride in their work, and these standards are evident in the high quality products for which NADEP Cherry Point has become well known.

Our many awards symbolize the efforts of an innovative, dedicated work force that puts forth its best effort to serve the needs of our customers. But the most important recognition we can receive is the safety and satisfaction of the fleet units we serve. Our goal is to ensure that every aircraft is returned to the fleet with the highest quality repairs performed on time and at the lowest cost.

 
NADEP Cherry Point-Yesterday and Today

In the summer of 1941, architects were drafting plans for an Assembly and Repair (A&R) Department to be built at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point. As it was envisioned, this facility would perform aircraft maintenance for the Air Station and other nearby Marine airfields. The project, however, was disrupted by Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States' immediate declaration of war. The A&R blueprints were withdrawn, and the facility's future was in doubt until a second set of plans was issued in early 1942.

Once ground was broken on the new facility, construction moved at an impressive pace. By December 1943, the Navy officially commissioned the A&R Department. Since its uncertain beginning in 1942, the depot has dramatically expanded its facility, its work force and its program focus. The years have ushered in new management and even new names to the facility, but its primary mission of "Service to the Fleet" has always remained constant.

Today, the NADEP is one of three Naval Aviation Depots in the United States, and it is the only facility of its kind under management of Marine Corps officers. The NADEP is eastern North Carolina's largest industrial facility, with about 3,700 employees. The massive plant covers 144.6 acres, and more than 100 buildings provide about 1.8 million square feet of floor space. The current plant value exceeds $900 million.

 
Aircraft

The NADEP's workload has expanded significantly since its early beginnings, but the aircraft program continues to be the backbone of depot production.

Once an aircraft is inducted, its condition is examined and evaluated to determine how much repair work must be done. Based on this evaluation, skilled artisans, mechanics and technicians are able to disassemble the aircraft, fix the reported problems and return the newly repaired airplane to action.

NADEP Cherry Point performs major airframe modifications and repair for a wide variety of DOD aircraft. It is the only repair point in the U.S. for the AV-8B Harrier, the vertical takeoff and landing tactical attack jet flown by the Marines. The depot is the Navy's Center of Excellence for rotary wing aircraft, as well as the Cognizant Field Activity (CFA) for all Navy helicopters. The NADEP is the single repair site for the medium lift transport H-46 Sea Knight helicopter and H-53D Sea Stallion and H-53E Super Stallion helicopters. The depot has also been named the sole Depot Repair Point for the Air Force's MH-53J helicopters. Other depot programs include the light attack A-4 Skyhawk aircraft and the Navy/Marine F-4 Phantom, a jet fighter/ reconnaissance aircraft. Depot mechanics are modifying the F-4s into drones, which will enable pilots to fly them from the cockpit or by remote control. The drones will be used to tow targets during pilot training exercises.

In addition, engineers and logisticians work with prime contractors to set logistics and maintenance support requirements for the V-22 Osprey. The NADEP is the Depot Repair Point (DRP) for the V-22, which is slated eventually to replace the H-46 Sea Knight currently flown by the Navy and the Marine Corps.

Nearly 25 percent of NADEP's work is made up of aircraft maintenance with about 85 aircraft repaired each year.

Composites

Lightweight carbon-epoxy composite materials represent the state of the art of modern aircraft design, and NADEP Cherry Point leads the way as one of the few sites around the country capable of inspecting and maintaining these materials. This capability is vital to the AV-8 Harrier program, since the aircraft is built largely of composites. These materials are ideally suited for aircraft, as they are stronger, stiffer, lighter and more flexible than the conventional metals they replace.

Engines

Military pilots demand a great deal from their engines, so repairs on these critical parts must be accurate and reliable. The depot's highly skilled artisans completely overhaul, assemble and test a wide range of aircraft engines.

As engines and parts are removed from the aircraft, they are routed to the various in-house shops for maintenance. In addition, various engines from the fleet supply system are also refurbished at the depot before they are returned to action.

The Power Plant Division overhauls and repairs numerous aircraft engines for a wide variety of military aircraft. Examples of this workload include:

  • the T58 used in the H-46 Sea Knight, the SH-2 Seasprite and the SH-3 Sea King helicopters;
  • the T400 which powers the UH- 1 Huey and AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters;
  • the F402 that gives the AV-8 Harrier its unique vectored thrust flight capability;
  • the J79 that can propel the F-4 Phantom at speeds greater than Mach two;
  • and the T64 that drives the CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter.

In addition, the T58-400 engine for the VH-3 Presidential-Executive helicopter is serviced at Cherry Point.

Maintenance requirements for the engine program make up more than 6 percent of depot workload. About 280 engines are refurbished each year.

Blade/Vane Repair

The Naval Engine Airfoil Center (NEAC) located at Cherry Point provides specialized component repairs for the fleet and depots worldwide. The center's ability to repair worn and damaged aircraft turbine and compressor blades and vanes, blisks, air seals, wheels, impellers, vane rings and shrouds provides significant cost savings to its customers. The NEAC restores these expensive parts to "like new" condition at a fraction of the cost of purchasing new replacement parts.

The Naval Engine Airfoil Center repairs approximately 50,000 blades and vanes per year. The center's integral engineering staff also develops new techniques to increase the number of airfoil components available for repair.

The high quality work performed at the NEAC has been recognized around the world. The facility was recently granted prestigious ISO 9000 registration, an international quality standard recognized in more than 80 countries. The NEAC is the first major Defense Department industrial facility, the second Naval activity and the fifth federal agency to be ISO 9000 registered.

Components

Nearly 36 percent of the depot's production effort is dedicated to revamping aircraft subassemblies, avionics and engine accessories under the Components Program. NADEP repairs more than 14,000 types of avionics and dynamic components, such as pressurization units, air starters, valves, gauges, regulators and pneudraulic components. The components program claims a number of unique features such as a recirculating wind tunnel, a computer-operated hydraulic test facility and an advanced helicopter blade testing facility.

Product Support

Another element of the depot workload is support of our product. Through the efforts of the 3.0 Logistics Management and 4.0 Research and Engineering Competencies, many facets of engineering and logistics support are provided for depot-level production and repair.

Engineering personnel work side-by-side with depot production artisans to ensure a quality product is produced the first time. Engineers also develop overhaul, repair, test and troubleshooting procedures when needed. Materials engineering services, such as metallurgy, chemistry, high polymers, testing and related specialized instrumental analyses are also performed.

During the past few years, NADEP Cherry Point has assumed responsibility for a variety of aircraft, engines and components. This function includes worldwide engineering and logistics management in both the maintenance and design fields.

In addition, engineers and logisticians serve organizational and intermediate-level fleet activities through early identification and resolution of supply, maintenance and design-related problems. Daily interaction with the fleet and the depot establishes the broad base of expertise needed to solve problems and reduce ownership costs throughout the life of the weapon system.

Other Support

The scope of depot workload completed through the "Other Support" program provides the required depot support to meet the immediate need of fleet units, land or sea, worldwide. Through this program, the depot supplies emergency field teams, fleet training, engineering support and calibration.

Such services have been critical in meeting the needs of fleet units. Field teams deploy anywhere in the world for this cause. In one year's time, for example, the depot sent more than 400 field teams to 10 countries and 20 states. One such deployment salvaged a crash-damaged C-130, buried nearly 17 years in Antarctica snow. The aircraft was modified at the depot and returned to the Navy to continue its mission.

The depot's ability to provide world class fleet support anywhere was evident during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In addition to its normal work, depot support included on-site aircraft damage repair field teams, interservice aircraft and hovercraft, Cruise and Patriot missiles, electrical calibration and other critical equipment. This facility sent civilian engineering personnel to front line areas to assist in aircraft maintenance and repair.

With potential problem areas continuing to develop around the world, the United States cannot allow its defensive posture to deteriorate. That is why NADEP Cherry Point stands ready at all times to provide service to the fleet.

Environmental Concern

Along with its continued emphasis on quality, service and teamwork, the depot stresses the importance of environmental protection. Equipment and work processes are continually reviewed and modified to meet environmental and safety standards, and hazardous materials are eliminated from depot work processes whenever possible.

Depot efforts to protect the environment have earned state and national attention. In recent years, the NADEP has been selected as an environmental showcase facility for the Department of Defense and its efforts have been lauded by the state of North Carolina and the Navy.

Manufacturing Resources Planning (MRP) II

Today's competitive economy demands that businesses stay on the leading edge in order to succeed. That is why the depot is leading the way in implementing Manufacturing Resources Planning (MRP) II in a remanufacturing environment. This comprehensive planning and management system will ensure that the depot has exactly what it needs to produce its products exactly when it needs it.

Through a combination of high-tech computer software, in-depth training and detailed planning, NADEP personnel are working diligently to implement MRP II throughout the facility by mid-1998. This system is expected to enable the depot to surpass its already high standards of consistent quality, low cost and quick turn-around time in meeting the needs of its customers.

Economic Impact

The NADEP has played a significant role in the economic stability and the technical and industrial growth of Eastern North Carolina. The depot is the area's largest employer, employing about 3,700 people with an annual payroll topping $220 million. The depot offers more than 140 different occupations ranging from repair artisans to program managers. All program elements within the life cycle of a weapon system are represented at NADEP Cherry Point. In addition, a wide range of depot support functions are performed at Cherry Point.

Community Involvement

The many diversely skilled people attracted to the area by depot employment opportunities share their involvement as fire fighters and emergency medical technicians, coaches and officials in the numerous local youth sports programs, military reservists and National Guard personnel. They are also active in civic groups and other activities.

Employees contribute generously each year to the Combined Federal Campaign, which benefits numerous local relief and humanitarian services, and to the Navy Relief Society which aids the military community.

The Depot Mission

For the past 50 years, NADEP Cherry Point has never lost focus of its central mission--"Service to the Fleet." Cherry Point is dedicated to providing our nation with the highest quality of depot-level maintenance, engineering and logistics support for DOD aviation. In addition to a high-quality product, the depot ensures this support is delivered on time and at the least cost.

By working smarter, improving processes, focusing on quality and enlisting the support and involvement of the entire work force, the depot continues to be a model of quality and productivity improvement in the federal government.

For all the employees at the Naval Aviation Depot, Cherry Point, North Carolina, "Service to the Fleet" is not just a motto; it's a commitment.

Building on Excellence

NADEP'S success has been built on a commitment to excellence. Some of its recent awards and recognition include:

  • Governor's Award for Excellence in Waste Reduction in the Federal Government Category (Outstanding Achievement, Highest Award) for 1999 -- received April 2000.
  • Facility-wide certification to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9002 quality standards in November 1999.
  • Reliability-Based Maintenance (RBM) Excellence Award -- received October 1999.
  • Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Environmental Quality Award in the Industrial Installation Category for FY98 -- received March 1999.
  • Tied as runner-up in the Industrial Installation category of the FY98 Secretary of the Navy Environmental Quality Awards competition -- received March 1999.
  • Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Environmental Award in the Installation Recycling category for work in reducing costs by using waste as a sellable resource -- received April 1998.
  • Department of Defense Value Engineering Achievement Award -- received June 1998.
  • Governor's Award for Excellence in Waste Reduction in the Federal Government Category (Significant Level) for 1997 -- received October 1998.
  • Co-recipient with MCAS Cherry Point for the North Carolina Governor's Award for Excellence in Waste Reduction for 1995 and 1996 - received August 1997.
  • Selected as a case study in the 1995 Governor's Award for Excellence in Waste Reduction - September 1996.
  • Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award - 1984, 1991 and 1996.
  • Calendar Year 1994 and 1996 Naval Air Systems Command Aviation Safety Award.
  • Fiscal year 1995 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Environmental Award in the Pollution Prevention and Recycling categories for Industrial Installations - March 1996.
  • Runner-up for Pollution Prevention Award and Recycling Award in the Industrial Installation category for the 1995 Secretary of the Navy Environmental Awards Competition - awarded March 1996.
  • Naval Aviation Systems Team Safety Innovation Recognition Award for the First Ergonomically Designed Machine Shop - presented October 1995.
  • Co-recipient with MCAS Cherry Point for Secretary of the Navy Pollution Prevention Award in he Marine Corps Industrial Installation category - March 1995.
  • Naval Air Systems Command Certificate of Achievement for safety, health improvement efforts for FY93 - received June 1994.
  • Secretary of the Navy Pollution Prevention Award (as part of MCAS Cherry Point Pollution Prevention Team ) - April 1994.
  • Environmental Protection Agency Stratospheric Protection Award - October 1993.
  • Federal Quality Institute's Quality Improvement Prototype Award - 1988 and 1993.
  • Selected as a Department of Defense Environmental Showcase Installation - 1992.
  • Co-recipient with MCAS Cherry Point for the North Carolina Governor's Award for Excellence in Waste Reduction for 1995 and 1996 - received August 1997. Selected as a case study in the 1995 Governor's Award for Excellence in Waste Reduction - September 1996.
  • Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award - 1984, 1991 and 1996.
  • Calendar Year 1994 and 1996 Naval Air Systems Command Aviation Safety Award.
  • Fiscal year 1995 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Environmental Award in the Pollution Prevention and Recycling categories for Industrial Installations - March 1996.
  • Runner-up for Pollution Prevention Award and Recycling Award in the Industrial Installation category for the 1995 Secretary of the Navy Environmental Awards Competition - awarded March 1996.
  • Naval Aviation Systems Team Safety Innovation Recognition Award for the First Ergonomically Designed Machine Shop - presented October 1995.
  • Co-recipient with MCAS Cherry Point for Secretary of the Navy Pollution Prevention Award in he Marine Corps Industrial Installation category - March 1995.
  • Naval Air Systems Command Certificate of Achievement for safety, health improvement efforts for FY93 - received June 1994.
  • Secretary of the Navy Pollution Prevention Award (as part of MCAS Cherry Point Pollution Prevention Team ) - April 1994.
  • Environmental Protection Agency Stratospheric Protection Award - October 1993.
  • Federal Quality Institute's Quality Improvement Prototype Award - 1988 and 1993.
  • Selected as a Department of Defense Environmental Showcase Installation - 1992.

 

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