The Black Knights begin new award for its workcenters

During a recent award ceremony held in the forecastle aboard Independence, Fighter Squadron 154 recognized many of its top performers and announced a new award that will be presented to the best workcenter each quarter; the "BKR" award.

"The BKR or Black Knights Rule award is presented to the work center that consistently meets and exceeds maintenance goals and projects a positive attitude indicative of the BKR spirit," said Cmdr. Drew Brugal, Commanding Officer, VF-154, when describing the prerequisites for the award.

The Aviation structural Mechanic Safety Equipment work center, the recipient of the first BKR award, was recognized of all fourteen workcenters in VF-154.

The short notice deployment of Indy to the Arabian Gulf allowed the Sailors of VF-154 an opportunity to build teamwork. The squadron had just finished retrofitting their aircraft with several new systems when the call was made to get underway. Although this short notice embarkment was challenging, VF-154 was ready and met their requirements.

"The motivation is high," said Aviation Structural Mechanic (Safety Equipment) 1st Class Eric P. Logino, from Mokena, Ill., AME workcenter supervisor. "We have placed new emphasis on training, better utilization of time, and implemented a more proactive approach to everything we do."

The members of the AME shop work together to maintain ejection seats, fire extinguishing systems, liquid oxygen, and cockpit pressurization systems for the squadron’s F-14 Tomcats.

"You can feel the new winning spirit in the air as you roam the squadron spaces or watch the sense of pride that goes into every maintenance action," Brugal said. "This award, I feel, is needed to recognize this renewed spirit of the Black Knights and I look forward to eventually seeing the BKR award displayed in each workcenter."

Caption: AMEAN Dimitri B. Pinto from Charlottesville, Va. repairs a section of the environmental control system on a F-14 Tomcat.