Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) leadership named U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Dominic Ewers a winner of the Outstanding Performance Award during an NAE Air Board video teleconference Nov. 17.

Ewers was recognized for his role as the deputy assistant program manager, logistics (DAPML) for F/A-18 A-D Structures for the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program.

Through his support of High Flight Hour inspections and implementation of Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) related structural initiatives, Ewers aided in the sustainment of more than 1,100 aircraft, according to the letter of appreciation signed by Vice Adm. Paul Grosklags, commander, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).

"Your efforts directing release of the first five F/A-18 SLEP related technical directives mitigated existing and future fatigue cracks and provide numerous retrofits to help extend F/A-18 A-D service life," Grosklags wrote.

During his tenure as DAPML, Ewers led the Navy's material support effort for the F/A-18 A-D structural components and increased parts availability, decreasing the number of aircraft at work stop caused by the leading material degrader at that time from 27 to zero aircraft at work stop.

Ewers also coordinated a team of more than 20 technical experts to work closely with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 12 to repair a servo-cylinder test station that tests flight control surface and nose wheel steering hydraulic components.

"Your efforts stopped a long-standing capability shortfall and helped the NAE avoid millions of dollars in shipping costs and depot level repair charges," Grosklags wrote.

Ewers, who transitioned in January 2015 to his new role as the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265) Out Of Reporting (OOR) Integrated Product Team (IPT) co-lead, said he was humbled to receive the award on behalf of his team.

"I work with a lot of great Americans from various competencies at PMA-265, and every day I converse with countless other supply, engineering and production team members across the NAE who are all extremely dedicated to the mission," Ewers said. "Any success I have is because of some very experienced, patient and dedicated mentors who have helped me understand how to make steady forward progress in the acquisition system."

In Ewers' new role as IPT co-lead, he continues to contribute to the mission of improving Naval Aviation readiness.

"Currently, I am blessed to lead a small, but extremely talented, hard-working and motivated team that is dedicated to working with all of the NAE stakeholders to reduce OOR and return jets back to the flight line," Ewers said. "The OOR challenge we have right now is the by-product of years of flying hard while supporting national foreign policy. It will take some time to feel the full effect of all the levers that have been pulled and are still being pulled to reduce OOR, but we realized some great improvement in fiscal year 2015 and expect even better results in fiscal year 2016 and beyond."

If Ewers could emphasize anything about his work as part of the NAE mission, he would want Marines and Sailors to know that NAE stakeholders are focused on the war fighter.

"The NAE is a very large, industrious organization filled with motivated people whose sole purpose is to support the war fighter's needs," Ewers said. "Over the past 14 years, these aircraft and the Marines and Sailors that fly, support and maintain them have done their country proud. The challenges for the NAE stakeholders over the next few years are significant, but the right steps are being taken to safely and steadily reduce OOR and get more aircraft back in the air so we can train and prepare for war."

The NAE Air Board, composed of leaders partnering to pursue the best interests of Naval Aviation, recognizes typically one Sailor, Marine or civilian employee each month for his or her outstanding enterprise-centric contributions to Naval Aviation. Award winners serve as positive examples of the enterprise approach at work. They routinely illustrate a commitment to the NAE principles of process improvement, a willingness to challenge assumptions, a focus on effectiveness and efficiency and a commitment to the greater good of Naval Aviation.

Naval Aviation leaders have distributed the monthly NAE Outstanding Performance Award since 2008 to promote a culture of cost-wise readiness.

For a full listing of monthly award winners since 2008, visit www.nae.navy.mil.
For more information, contact the NAE at nae@navy.mil.