In May, the Carrier Readiness Team (CRT) celebrated its 10th anniversary in the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) as it completed another successful annual requirements conference - the Aircraft Carrier Naval Aviation Requirements Groups (CVN NARG. The team was formed a decade ago to build upon the efficiencies realized from the successful introduction of enterprise concepts and business processes in Naval Aviation through the Naval Aviation Readiness Integrated Improvement Program (NAVRIIP)and the NAE.

Since inception, early efficiencies were experienced in life cycle management cost avoidances and in people, equipment, supply, training and ordnance (PESTO)readiness. Systemic issues impacting readiness have been identified and worked collectively by operators, sponsors and providers.

By following a roadmap emphasizing communication and collaboration among stakeholders, and establishing a forum to foster readiness discussions among aircraft carrier commanding officers, the team has matured into a collective voice for the fleet and an influential organization which uses leading indicators on CVN readiness to enable solutions or advance mitigation of anticipated readiness gaps.

The CRT is oriented around an executive steering committee consisting of PESTO readiness pillar leads along with Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) for Networks Readiness (N6) and Carrier Requirements (N82). It is co-led by a current CVN commanding officer and the in-service carriers program manager, currently Capt. Ron Ravelo, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); and Capt. John Markowitz, Program for Aircraft Carriers (PMS 312), respectively.

Using the CRT-developed Cost Optimized Readiness - Equipment process and a reliability-centered maintenance approach, systemic equipment readiness issues are identified, engaged, and solved to maintain required availability for sustained operations. Recent successes include increases in reliability and repair capability for automatic voltage regulators (AVR), ship service turbine generators (SSTG), distilling units (DU) and low pressure air plants (LPAP).

Through efficient use of Program Related Engineering/ Program Related Logistics (PRE/PRL) resources combined with this metrics-based enterprise approach, a return of investment in obsolescence and maintenance was realized at a ratio of 9-to-1 in 2014 alone. A Modernization Matrix and Aircraft Carrier Class Maintenance Plan (ACCMP) life cycle maintenance strategy was developed and refined for incorporation into the Chief of Naval Operations maintenance availabilities and, in conjunction with Carrier Team One and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). Through this collaboration, the team is aggressively promoting the on-time delivery of shipyard availabilities.

In people readiness, significant progress has been made over the last five years in reducing CVN manpower Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) gaps using the NEC Gap mitigation strategies developed and implemented through collaboration by NAE Total Force Cross-functional Team, CRT and the Center for Naval Aviation and Technical Training (CNATT). CVN NEC Fit has improved from 54 percent to 74 percent over this period and the CRT is working to continue the execution of this strategy to further close the CVN NEC gap and effectively manage the depth of critical NECs. In training readiness, the revised training manual ties Navy tactical tasks to Defense Readiness Reporting System - Navy (DRRS-N) and the evolution of the Carrier Sierra Hotel Aviation Readiness Program (CV-SHARP) has moved us closer to linking individual training readiness to overall ship readiness.

During this year's annual CVN NARG which was facilitated by CNAF N82 and fueled by data- and metrics- based analysis of systemic readiness issues, the CRT and its stakeholders, including seven CVN commanding officers, reviewed and prioritized the essential elements of sustained warfighting capabilities for funding over the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP). Top priorities include the maintenance and depot-level support to achieve the 50-year service life of CVNs, sustainment of aircraft launch and recovery equipment, improving integrated self-defense capability, and increasing the reliability and sustainability of our onboard command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) systems.

With an eye to the future, the CRT will welcome the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and the Ford-class of CVNs into the fleet in 2016 and will focus on reducing cost and enhancing its analytical effectiveness to influence on-time delivery of CVN shipyard availabilities, maintaining warfighting capability and cyber readiness standards, and ensuring adequate training and manning of critical skill sets onboard carriers.

As an essential element of the NAE, the CRT's vision continues to be supporting the preeminent partnership of operators, sponsors, and providers who champion the efficient delivery of the right carrier force, with the right readiness, at the right time ... today and in the future. Although methods and challenges will continue to evolve, the CRT will continue to provide Naval Aviation leadership with improved decision support necessary in a complex environment.

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