Congratulations to Amentum’s U.S. Navy F-5 Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) team at Naval Air Station (NAS) New Orleans! On February 3, 2023, the NAS New Orleans squadron was certified as ‘Safe to Fly’ aircraft.
The “safe for flight” designation means a squadron has the right personnel and equipment, as well as maintenance and safety programs, in place to support itself in conducting routine flight operations. The squadron must also be in physical custody of at least 30 percent of its assigned aircraft.
“We had a government team of 17 inspectors spend three days assessing maintenance practices and workforce performance during scenario drills,” said Jeremy Beckham, USN F-5 CLS Program Manager. “A big thank you to the team – this achievement is the culmination of more than a year of planning and executing to the plan for establishing a new F-5 squadron at a new location – completely from scratch.”
The Amentum team identified, recruited, and hired 106 skilled employees who received F-5 specific maintenance training by sister contractor site personnel at Fallon, Nevada and Yuma, Arizona.
“The team moved parts, tools, and equipment from Fallon, setting up shops and learning the peculiarities of a new aircraft all while moving themselves and their families to New Orleans – and did a great job,” said Jeff Lunday, USN F-5 CLS Site Manager. “Our customer is pleased with how well the Amentum F-5 team overcame hurdles enroute to achieving certification.”
There is little time to celebrate, however. The squadron is headed to Fallon for a ten-week detachment for adversary air support to an Aircraft Carrier Airwing and Top Gun class, starting February 10.
Congrats to the team for all their hard work!
