30-Jul-2026Source: US Army
An unplanned repair on an Air Force search-and-rescue helicopter is providing Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) with the opportunity to refine its HH-60W maintenance skills before the depot begins planned maintenance on the aircraft platform later this year. While FRCE is slated to begin inducting HH-60W Jolly Green II aircraft for depot-level maintenance overhauls in... Read more
29-Apr-2026Source: US Army
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) is marking a new era of aircraft sustainment with the delivery of its first flight-certified metal additive manufactured parts to the fleet, significantly improving aircraft downtime and flight line readiness. A recent collaboration with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Additive Manufacturing Team and Fleet Support Teams has allowed the... Read more
21-Nov-2025Source: FRCE
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) continues to expand its support of naval aviation’s heavy lift mission with the recent induction of a CH-53K King Stallion engine, the first of its kind to undergo depot-level maintenance. Following the first induction of a CH-53K King Stallion helicopter for maintenance at FRCE in April, the facility also inducted... Read more
23-Sep-2025Source: FRCE
A team of engineers at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recently developed a new capability that is saving the fleet time and money, and increasing fleet readiness. The Test Program Set Development Team at FRCE recently developed the hardware and software needed to perform tests and diagnose the operational status of the H-1 helicopter platform’s... Read more
16-May-2025
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) opened a new chapter in its support of naval aviation’s heavy lift mission with the induction of a CH-53K King Stallion April 17, marking the first time the platform has ever been inducted for depot-level maintenance. The aircraft arrived April 4 from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (HMH-461) onboard Marine... Read more
14-Nov-2024Source: US Navy
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) met a new milestone with the induction of its first Navy CMV-22B Osprey for maintenance Aug. 21. With receipt of this aircraft, the depot now services all three variants of the V-22 platform, which also include the Marine Corps MV-22B and the Air Force CV-22. The CMV-22B is the newest... Read more
15-Apr-2024Source: FRCE
A process developed and refined at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) is producing positive results in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the CH-53E Super Stallion and MH-53E Sea Dragon heavy-lift helicopters serviced at the depot. A team of engineers and artisans from the H-53 Aircraft Components Shop worked together to improve the manner in... Read more
13-Mar-2024Source: US Marine Corps
Engineers at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) are enhancing flight line readiness with the development of updated engine wash procedures and training in support of the Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter. Jordon Barnes, a senior engineer on the H-53 Fleet Support Team (FST), said the engine wash procedures are aimed at enhancing time on... Read more
17-Apr-2023Source: US Marine Corps
One Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) team recently earned recognition for its contribution to improved flight line readiness for the MH/CH-53E heavy lift helicopter. The Naval Air Systems Command Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office (PMA-261) honored the FRCE Fuel Control Shop as PMA-261 “Gold Stars” during a March event. The Fuel Control Shop worked with... Read more
8-Dec-2022Source: FRCE
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recently opened a new chapter in the depot’s engine program with its first disassembly of the T408 engine, which powers the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter. The three-day disassembly was a dress rehearsal of sorts, as it gave stakeholders in the T408 engine program an opportunity to ensure everything from technical... Read more
20-Jun-2022Source: FRCE
Rotor blades for the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter that arrive for rework at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) will be balanced on a new system that will save about $18 million by eliminating the need for building a new testing facility. Helicopter rotor blades must be balanced to reduce vibration that can place stress... Read more
17-Jun-2022
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) is gearing up to return an MV-22 Osprey to the fleet after conducting a wing-off stow ring replacement on the aircraft, the first completion of this procedure by a naval aviation depot. In another inaugural depot-level repair, FRCE artisans tackled corrosion on the aircraft’s K-fittings with the wing off,... Read more
7-Apr-2022Source: FRCE
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) provides maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services that support a variety of Navy and Marine Corps aircraft around the world. The depot also provides service to the Fleet through training for aircraft maintenance professionals who can then return to their respective organizations with the skills they need to maintain aviation... Read more
25-Jan-2022Source: FRCE
A supply shortage of clutch servo-valve filters for V-22 Osprey auxiliary power units (APU) threatened to keep a number of aircraft on the ground, until the APU group of the V-22 Fleet Support Team at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) found a way to clean the disposable filters and reinstall them on the aircraft. The... Read more
20-Dec-2021Source: FRCE
Materials engineers at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) faced a dilemma. Artisans must remove paint from an aircraft before it can be serviced, but exposure to harsh chemical stripping agents can damage the composite materials that make up the V-22 Osprey. Meanwhile, hand sanding methods are time consuming and physically demanding for workers. As a... Read more
24-Nov-2021Source: NAVAIR
A Vietnam-era aircraft platform facing a challenging supply posture seems an unlikely candidate for an underdog victory story. But that’s just what happened when Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) artisans made a hard push to the finish line to complete and return to the fleet two H-53 heavy-lift helicopters – each having seen various stages... Read more
9-Nov-2021Source: NAVAIR
A partnership between Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) and Sikorsky is helping meet the fleet’s needs for critical parts for CH-53E Super Stallion and MH-53E Sea Dragon heavy-lift helicopters. Under a performance-based logistics contract that is part of a public-private partnership (PPP) between FRCE and Sikorsky, the depot’s artisans provide the skilled labor required to... Read more
3-Sep-2021Source: FRCE
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) opened a new chapter of service Aug. 11 as it completed work on the first of the fleet MV-22B Osprey aircraft flown by the Marine Corps squadron tasked with helicopter transport of the president of the United States. FRCE has conducted modification and Planned Maintenance Interval (PMI) events for Navy... Read more
13-Apr-2021Source: FRCE
Following a string of successful outcomes in reducing maintenance, repair and overhaul turnaround times on V-22 Osprey aircraft, Fleet Readiness Center East has set its sights on improving turnaround times for the H-53 heavy lift helicopter. On the heels of setting a new organizational record for a V-22 turnaround with a 297-day aircraft in January,... Read more
