PATUXENT RIVER, Md., June 12, 2025 — Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, commander of Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), recognized individuals and teams across nine categories at the 25th annual NAVAIR Commander’s Awards on June 4 at Patuxent River. Selected from 129 nominees, the winners exemplified NAVAIR’s focus on speed, affordability, and availability, delivering critical warfighting capabilities to the fleet.
“Right now, our fleet is deployed in harm’s way, operating in some of the most demanding environments in the world,” Chebi said. “The capabilities you deliver are helping our warfighters execute their missions successfully and return home safely. This is the true power of what you do.”
In the Affordability Category, the Durable Landing Gear Team developed zinc-nickel plating for F-18 E/F Super Hornet landing gear, replacing cadmium. This corrosion-resistant coating, three times more effective, is projected to save $2-3 billion over the program’s life, easing strain on logistics for F-35, F-18, and MQ-25 aircraft.
The H-1 Light/Attack Helicopter Programs Office In-Service Team, honored in the Availability Category, achieved exceptional mission-capable rates for H-1 helicopters, surpassing Naval Aviation Enterprise goals. Their coordination with stakeholders and government-led modifications enhanced readiness with minimal impact on squadron availability.
For Business Innovation, the Proposal Analysis Team’s price lightning tool streamlined pricing analysis, reducing cycle times and fostering DoD collaboration. The Presidential Helicopters Program Office VH-92A Patriot IETM Team cut publication costs by 50%, saving $78 million over the VH-92A program’s life, and reduced update cycles from 30 days to 12 hours, boosting readiness to 90% mission-capable rates.
The Air Wing of the Future Working Spaces Working Group, recognized in the ‘Get Real, Get Better’ Category, secured space for CMV-22 and MQ-25 integration on Nimitz- and Ford-class carriers, revolutionizing carrier space management.
Caroline McPherson, named Most Collaborative IPT Lead, led H-1 modifications, enhancing combat capabilities through stakeholder coordination. Christopher Albright, Most Impactful Supervisor, drove innovation in F/A-18 and EA-18G software development, improving fleet outcomes.
In the Speed of Capability Delivery Category, the Carrier Air Wing Three Tiger Team rapidly delivered F/A-18 E/F upgrades, including radar improvements and doubled missile capacity, countering Houthi threats. The CVW-3 commander praised their “hustle, heart and high-caliber efforts” for enhancing lethality.
The V-22 Clutch Investigation and ODSSHI Development Teams, honored for Technical Innovation, developed novel instrumentation to collect high-resolution clutch data, improving V-22 safety. The ODSSHI system is now fielding to detect drive system anomalies.
The Weapons and Warfare Systems Test Department Workforce Development Team, recognized in Workforce Development, optimized training budgets, offering 45 development opportunities and saving $25,000 per cohort by in-housing programs.
Amber Spiegel received the NAVAIR Small Business Advocacy Award (Individual) for supporting small businesses in the Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program. The Mission Systems and DAiTA Group Acquisition Team earned the team award, securing $2.7 billion in small business contracts.
The APG-79v4 Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar Team won the Edward H. Heinemann Award for delivering radar upgrades to F/A-18C/D Hornets, enhancing combat effectiveness and enabling deployments for U.S. and Canadian squadrons.
“The thing I am most proud of is the team we have here [and] what you do each and every day—you are providing tremendous support to the warfighter,” Chebi said. “We deliver great capability, and when the fleet has a need, we react quickly.”
The awards reflect NAVAIR’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and mission success, ensuring the fleet remains ready and resilient in challenging global environments.
