Military members from the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) North Island participated in Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival Sept. 17.

The Sailors and Marines brought their off-duty skills to the Military Pit Crew Challenge and the Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MREs) Gourmet Cooking Contest during the festival produced by the San Diego Fleet Week Foundation.

The 10-man crew was required to change tires, refuel, and push-start a car for 75 feet during the pit crew challenge. The team, led by Aviation Support Equipment Technician 1st Class Justin Kramer, had an opportunity to practice with pit crew professionals from NASCAR prior to the event.

"It was a learning experience that gave me insight into what a NASCAR pit crew has to endure," said CNATTU North Island Instructor Aviation Support Equipment Technician 1st Class Michael Sanchez. "It was a blast and we will definitely be back next year."

The CNATTU team posted the year's fastest qualifying time during the speed trials at 26 seconds, surpassing the 33-second practice qualifying time set by officials. Posting a semifinal time of 50 seconds, due to tire-changing time penalties, the CNATTU team did not qualify for the finals Sept. 18.

Marine Sgt. Lance Escano, a CNATTU North Island instructor, competed against 16 other contestants as he prepared his three-course gourmet meal consisting of a main course, side dish and dessert, using only the contents of two MREs and one care-package item.

Escano chose his custom-made spicy teriyaki sauce as his choice for an item that could typically be found in a care package to augment his first-round entry. His entry consisted of an appetizer he named "Samurai Bamboo Forest," a main course of "Thai Fusion Beef Strip," and "Aloha Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake Supreme" for dessert.

"My plate looked like something out of 'Iron Chef,'" Escano said. "I'm passionate about food and was encouraged by my team members as they cheered me on."

Advancing to the second round of the competition, Escano submitted a meal he named "Deconstructed Carne Asada from 7-Eleven at 2 a.m." Being judged on presentation and taste, the judges awarded Escano second place.

The Speed Festival is Fleet Week San Diego's marquee event. The event features auto racing and exhibitions for car enthusiasts at Naval Air Station North Island. Numerous contests, demonstrations and activities are held during the weeklong event.

CNATTU North Island is a training unit of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training located in Pensacola, Florida. CNATT develops, delivers, and supports aviation technical training at 27 sites located throughout the continental United States and Japan.

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 Naval Education and Training Command.

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