FRC East to keep F-35 work

Fleet Readiness Center East at Cherry Point won’t lose any future work on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Word that the depot remains the designated depot for F-35 airframe and lift fan repair and maintenance came in a letter from Frank Kendall, the acting undersecretary of defense overseeing Joint Strike Fighter depot source of repair decisions.

“I’m just real encouraged,” said U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones, R-NC, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. “It was very important. “I’m pleased with the tone of the letter. … I got in writing a verification of the importance of the depot.”

Kendall’s letter came in response to inquiries from Jones, Gov. Beverly Perdue and others.

“The department views all of its organic capabilities, including Fleet Readiness Center East and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, as national assets,” Kendall wrote.

FRC East was initially designated as the primary source of repair for the JSF airframe and the F-35B vertical lift version’s lift fan. It was projected to account for between 17 percent and 20 percent of the Navy repair depot’s work once the JSF joins the military air arsenal.

However, all depot work on F-35s was under review last year. A decision was initially expected in October but was delayed.

The depot is the largest civilian employer in North Carolina east of I-95 with about 3,500 employees including about 500 engineers.

“This is very good news,” said James Norment, local attorney for Ward and Smith hired to coordinate the lobbying effort authorized by Craven County and Allies for Cherry Point’s Tomorrow.

“It confirms what we were hoping — there have apparently been no changes to the primary site plan for the JSF.” For right now, this is particularly good news.”

Kendall wrote that the defense department has now decided to “proceed with the activation of a single organic depot repair site” for each commodity such as airframes and engines. “Activating second site capability” will be “based on fielding schedules, maintenance requirement, industrial capacity, and budget.”

He said as well that “in our search for efficiencies, we remain dedicated to evaluating all aspects of our budget to ensure we provide the optimal ability to generate readiness at the best possible value.” 

Jones said he would continue to stress the value of FRC East.

“It is one of the best in the nation,” he said. “The employees are dedicated to our country and certainly are the best at their jobs.”

Meanwhile, Jones said he doubted a Base Realignment and Closure process mentioned two weeks ago would take place.

“I’m not sure there is going to be a BRAC,” he said. “It takes an act of Congress and I’m not sure that is going to be at the top of the list.”

Jones said there should not be a BRAC until possible closure of overseas bases is determined.

“As it was 10 years ago, that’s going to be a battle in Congress,” he said. “As issues come before us, friendly or unfriendly, I’ll be there to defend the bases in North Carolina.”