PMA-265 Green Hornet Team Gets Excellence Award

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for the Environment, Donald Schregardus, presented the 2013 Secretary of the Navy Environmental Excellence Award to the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office’s (PMA-265) Green Hornet team July 9 during a ceremony at the Rear Adm. William A. Moffett Building here.

The team was recognized in the category of “Environmental Excellence in Weapon System Acquisition, Large Program, Individual or Team” for the successful implementation of key environmental protection and awareness initiatives, including the continued development of biofuel, noise reduction efforts, hazardous materials management and pollution prevention.

“The Secretary of the Navy Environmental Awards Program recognizes Navy and Marine Corps ships, installations and people for outstanding performance in promoting environmental stewardship,” Schregardus said. “This morning, we recognize a team that has demonstrated a sustained effort and consistent commitment to incorporating environmental requirements into weapons acquisition. In a nutshell, the Green Hornet Team knows what it means to be ‘green’ in the best connotations of the term.”

On Earth Day 2010, the Super Hornet became the first Navy aircraft to demonstrate alternative fuel capability using a 50/50 blend of camelina biofuel and the Navy’s primary jet fuel, jet propellant (JP)-5. Biofuel is one of several environmental projects managed by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Propulsion and Power team and supported by the Green Hornet team under the leadership of Mike Rudy, F/A-18 and EA-18G environment, safety and occupational health (ESOH) program manager and Green Hornet team lead.

“The Green Hornet team has achieved great things, and it was through Mike Rudy’s leadership and dedication to environmental excellence that we have seen such large leaps in our efforts to produce eco- and health-friendly technologies for the Navy and international partners,” said Capt. Frank Morley, PMA-265 program manager.

This award is the team’s second consecutive and third overall award from the Secretary of the Navy and follows its seventh consecutive Chief of Naval Operations award.

“The team’s hard work to support the Navy and Marine Corps’ front-line tactical fighter aircraft, the F/A-18, is truly remarkable,” Morley said.

Comprising government and industry partner experts, the Green Hornet team’s mission is to ensure environmental excellence in systems acquisition by incorporating ESOH compliance during the design and systems engineering process.

“This award is a tribute to the hard work and attention to detail of the entire team,” Rudy said, as he cited industry partners for their advances in jet noise reduction and biofuel engine technology as well as for making significant strides in recycling the composite material used in the manufacturing of the aircraft. Rudy also praised the NAVAIR Materials Division for making progress in the research and development of environmentally-friendly aircraft coating systems.

“Working toward the common goal of environmental compliance and protection for our personnel and ensuring that our aircraft are delivered to — and serve — the fleet, our team has been recognized as achieving consistently superior levels of performance,” Rudy said. “It’s not my or me, but our and we.”