The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Oceana was named the winner of a Naval Air Station Oceana-sponsored six-month energy conservation contest, July 7.

The contest was designed to motivate service members and their families working and living on base to practice energy conservation, to facilitate end-user energy savings, to get involvement from top to deckplate leaders and to recognize the initiative, innovation and teamwork of the participating teams.

Naval Air Station Oceana Commanding Officer Capt. Louis Schager and Executive Officer Capt. Richard Meadows presented a $50,000 check to CNATTU Oceana Commanding Officer Cmdr. Richard Grove and CNATTU energy conservation representatives.

The challenge every day was to review energy instructions; train multiple building monitors; customize and use a daily, monthly and quarterly energy checklist; develop an energy progress report and develop an energy baseline for command facilities.

"As a building monitor, my toughest challenge was changing the mindset and daily practices of not only my fellow instructors, but also to our junior Sailors so that they may carry with them the same energy conservation ideas out to the fleet," said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class James Allen.

The CNATTU team which led the command's conservation efforts consisted of Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Charles Zimmerman, Allen, Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Robert Welch, Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Timothy Centoze, Aviation Electrician's Mate 1st Class Eddie Bradshaw, Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Matthew Mountcastle, and Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Kyle Neer.

"Our team had the initiative, drive, ingenuity, and creativity to bring this game-changing process of conserving energy to reality," said Zimmerman.

With the first challenge complete, the second is already underway. In addition to the $50,000 award, CNATTU Oceana holds the Energy Challenge Award trophy which will be passed on to be displayed in each winning command's building during their reign. CNATTU is also the first and only command listed on a plaque displayed at the NAS Oceana commanding officer's quarterdeck.

A total of 21 teams participated in the challenge and their energy conservation was measured on a point-based system. CNATTU Oceana won the challenge with a score of 562 points.

CNATTU Oceana supports the Department of Defense by providing specialized technical training to aviation maintenance professionals for F/A-18 Hornets and automated test equipment in direct support of genuine and emerging fleet requirements.

CNATTU Oceana is part of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, which provides single site management for Navy and Marine Corps aviation technical training.

CNATT is a technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise, an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost, and is the largest training center under the Naval Education and Training Command umbrella.

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