NAVAIR’s H-53 team wins logistics award

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Materiel Readiness Lisha Adams and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness David Berteau, present a 2014 Secretary of Defense Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) award to H-53 PBL team members Bob Leavitt, product support manager for the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program (PMA 261); John Jevit, the H-53E Integrated Weapon Systems Team co-lead Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS); and Peter Kroesser, NAVSUP WSS Program Manager, Defense Systems and Support, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation; during an awards ceremony, Jan. 13 in Fort Belvoir, Va. (Department of Defense photo)

Patuxent River, MD — The H-53 Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) Team was presented with a 2014 Secretary of Defense PBL award, Jan. 13.

The 10th annual awards ceremony, which took place during the Secretary of Defense Product Support Manager Workshop at Defense Acquisition University in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, recognizes government and industry teams that have demonstrated outstanding achievements while providing the warfighter with exceptional operational capability through PBL agreements.

The H-53 team received the component category award for implementing a PBL solution between Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS), NAVAIR and Sikorsky that increased the supply availability for ten high-value, flight-critical H-53 aircraft components. (Note: CH-53E Super Stallion pictured abovet)

“Prior to the PBL, the availability of these components was challenged with significant backorders, and the PBL increased availability of these components by 49 percent,” said Bob Leavitt, product support manager for the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program (PMA 261). “Since the PBL contract award in 2007, the fill rate has averaged 96.1 percent, with all backorders eliminated.”

Along with the increase in supply availability the team was able to reduce operating and support costs by $20.2 million.

“This PBL contract is an example of the innovation gained through our collaboration with industry and other commands and enables us to better support the warfighter,” said Todd Balazs, NAVAIR’s deputy assistant commander for logistics and industrial operations. “I am proud of the significant process improvements and increased logistic response times that this team has been able to accomplish to address long-term reliability and affordability in the H-53 program.”

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Hank Vanderborght, program manager for PMA 261, said it was an honor for the H-53 PBL team to win.

“This team has truly made significant improvements that have led to increased H-53 mission readiness,” Vanderborght said. “This means that we are better able to support the fleet, which is really what it’s all about.”