Captain Charles Ehnes accepted the 2019 SPQA Progress In Performance Excellence Award on behalf of the PMS 312 In-Service Aircraft Carrier Program. PMS 312 is part of the U.S. Navy’s Program Executive Office (PEO) for Aircraft Carriers, under the direction of Naval Sea Systems Command. The Congressional mandate to maintain a fleet of 11 aircraft carriers requires PEO Aircraft Carriers to simultaneously maintain the readiness and operational effectiveness of the in-service USS Nimitz-class aircraft carriers while managing the construction of next-generation USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)-class aircraft carriers. PMS 312 is tasked with in-service aircraft carrier maintenance and modernization, mid-life refueling and overhaul, as well as inactivation and decommissioning. This Senate Productivity and Quality Award honored PMS 312 for achieving excellence in maintaining the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, following an intense, year-long self-assessment and independent process review. In accepting the award, Captain Ehnes said, “PMS 312 is constantly building a culture of excellence. The SPQA review process was no easy task, but the insights provided have been invaluable.”
