Letter to the Secretary and the Chairman from Ralph Potter Page: 1 of 6
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DCN 1552 j-rV
06062005
May 31, 2005
Chairman Principi
2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission
2521 S. Clark St., Ste. 600
Arlington, VA 22202
Dear Mr. Chairman:
This information is provided in accordance with the PRESS RELEASE of 26 May 2005,
specifically, as part of the "community impact from affected stakeholders."
This letter is prompted by four major considerations and/or events. There is a myriad of other
reasons and all stem from the current BRAC exercise that is now underway. The major reasons are:
1. Conference with Secretary of the Navy Hidalgo (SecNav).
2. The Naval Aviation Maintenance Plan (NAMP).
3. Organic Depot Workload Interservicing.
4. Military Training.
I personally feel that I am qualified to address each of these subjects because I have had over 30
years of progressive experience in direct aviation logistics support at the depot level. Prior to my
retirement, my last three years I served as the Chief Engineer of the NAVA[R Engineering Support Office
(NE.SO). During that same period, I served simultaneously as the Aeronautical Engineering Department
Head (GS-15). Prior to that latter assignment, I served as the Production Engineering Department Head
(GS-14) for seven years. Before that, I was the Plant Engineering Division Director (GS-13) for 13 years.
Other supervisory positions at lower ratings preceded those.
I listed the above for a single reason. Despite my long experience in the field of Aviation Logistic
Support (ALS), I am not a complete authority or expert in that field. Due to that field's unbelievable
complexity, I don't believe that anyone up to and including the maximnurn governmental and commercial
levels exists. Some of us have been fortunate enough to manage individuals who are true experts in
different segments of ALS and together constitute an expert cadre. Long years of collective experience,
study and application only create such a cadre. 'T'hat is an extremely important and militarily essential part
of Naval as well as Air Force and Army AI.S at the Depot I.evel.
Reason I - During my final seven years of federal service, I was President of the Cherry Point
Employees Association (CPEiA), which was one of six (then) chapters of the National Council of Industrial
Naval Air Stations. I was also Vice President of the I :ast coast chapters.
The North Island President and I were granted a 15 minute audience with the then Secretary of the
Navy (SecNav) Hidalgo. We explained to him in minute detail the operations of the then six depots. We
went through the total phases of airframe, engine, accessories and repairable components rework from
receipt to preservation (if applicable). Beyond that, we explained (to the depth he desired) how rework
capability is established in a Designated Overhaul Point (DOP). We went through the judgmental process
used to determine which of the then 13 aviation service depots was already equipped physically, with
sufficient artisan skills, technical and engineering experience, sufficient capacity (without Military
Construction) to accommodate the workload. Formost in the selection process was both new-start and
military construction avoidance.
We explained the involvement of the depot in developing capability to rework a given article
including technical instructions, specialized support equipment, general equipment specifications and
procurement, installation of equipment, support shops re-arrangement, supply provisions, inspection
requirements, performance testing and packaging and preservation. Each of the elements is a study within
itself, and, if desired, can be described completely.
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Letter to the Secretary and the Chairman from Ralph Potter, letter, June 10, 2005; (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc15178/m1/1/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.