Navy and civilian personnel from throughout NAS Patuxent River joined collectively for a international object and particles (FOD) stroll down of the bottom’s airfield in early September. The occasion served as a reminder that aviation security is everybody’s duty, and is as essential on the bottom as it’s within the air.
“FOD stroll downs are common occurrences at NAS Patuxent River; nevertheless, we usually don’t take the time to stroll the total subject. Since taking command of the bottom, safety and security have been my high priorities,” mentioned Capt. Derrick Kingsley, NAS Patuxent River Commanding Officer. “Taking the time to pause operations and conduct a base-wide FOD stroll down is critical. Simply because a FOD mishap hasn’t occurred, doesn’t imply that we look forward to it to occur to take motion. That’s what Get Actual and Get Higher is all about. Leaning ahead and taking motion and possession.”
Kingsley charged the NAS Patuxent River Air Operations Division – which oversees the Air Site visitors Management, Airfield Companies, and Floor Electronics Divisions on base – with coordinating the occasion and connecting with Pax River’s mission companions.
“We most likely had someplace within the ballpark of 100 folks come out and assist,” mentioned Lt. Cmdr. Christopher “KP” Kuharpitters, NAS Patuxent River Air Operations Officer. “I can let you know is that FOD is a significant security concern for all of Naval Aviation and that’s the reason FOD prevention packages exist all through the Naval Aviation Enterprise,” added Kuharpitters.
Kuharpitters spearheaded coordination with mission companions throughout Pax River, together with NAVAIR, NAWC-AD, and Naval Check Wing Atlantic.
“Due to the squadrons and instructions that participated, we hope to do that each six months,” added Kingsley. “Whereas the teambuilding facet of the occasion was nice to see, FOD prevention is a critical enterprise.”
FOD are any errant supplies that may injury or in any other case be dangerous to an plane engine or its elements. These objects severely damaging to plane, and put aircrews and floor assist personnel alike in danger. In accordance with the Nationwide Aerospace FOD Prevention, Inc., FOD injury prices the aviation trade roughly $13 billion a 12 months in direct and oblique prices.
For extra info on NAS Patuxent River, go to www.fb.com/NASPaxRiver, www.twitter.com/NASPaxRiverPAO, and https://ndw.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAS-Patuxent-River/ .
