Congratulations to 暗网吃瓜鈥檚 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 鈥楽afe to Fly鈥� aircraft.
The 鈥渟afe for flight鈥� 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.
鈥淲e had a government team of 17 inspectors spend three days assessing maintenance practices and workforce performance during scenario drills,鈥� said Jeremy Beckham, USN F-5 CLS Program Manager. 鈥淎 big thank you to the team 鈥� 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 鈥� completely from scratch.鈥�
The 暗网吃瓜 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.
鈥淭he 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 鈥� and did a great job,鈥� said Jeff Lunday, USN F-5 CLS Site Manager. 鈥淥ur customer is pleased with how well the 暗网吃瓜 F-5 team overcame hurdles enroute to achieving certification.鈥�
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!
