In January, Tom Gerace, a recovery systems lead engineer at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Lakehurst, was challenged with the task of refurbishing an old barricade power pack to be used on the newest aircraft carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). The barricade power pack is a piece of equipment that provides and maintains the fluid pressure required by the hydraulic cylinders that raise and lower the barricade stanchions on the flight deck. The stanchions are the two large support structures that hold up the barricade webbing assembly (a nylon web system) needed to absorb the kinetic energy of a landing aircraft and transmit it to the arresting gear engine.

When faced with engineering design difficulties and time constraints for a new electro-mechanical actuator system, the Navy turned to Lakehurst engineering and manufacturing experts to refurbish an old hydraulic power pack from the decommissioned carrier USS Constellation (CVN-64). That's when Gerace and his team got the call.

With a due-to-the-fleet date of March 31, the Lakehurst crew went to work reconstructing and refinishing the old power pack. As a result of the efforts and expertise of 41 different artisans, 1300 man hours and a cost of approximately $250,000, the project was completed on March 16, two weeks ahead of schedule and within budget constraints. Knowing how vital this equipment is to enable aircraft to successfully land on carriers, the Lakehurst team stayed focused and committed to the task until the job was done and the power pack could be delivered to CVN-77 for installation. The "can do" attitude of the dedicated employees at Lakehurst is indicative of the service and support that NAVAIR provides to the fleet each and every day.