Installation of this system, normally a four-month process, was completed in 77 days by the Alteration Installation Team (AIT). The team consisted of members from NAVAIRSYSCOM, NAVSEASYSCOM, PEOs, COMNAVAIRFOR, COMNAVAIRPAC, Air Traffic Control and Combat Identification (PMA-213), USS ESSEX, Commander Task Force76, NAWCAD, VX-23, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and the Ship Repair Facility in Sasebo, Japan.

This feat was accomplished by maintaining daily communication and cooperation among team members as well as allowing time for successful testing and Precision Approach Landing System Certifications in spite of inclement weather (typhoons) and severe problems with gyro information that caused delays, said Capt. CJ Jaynes, PMA-213 program manager.

The AIT was made up of more than 50 technical and management leaders -- from NAWCAD Bill Mitchell, Randy Morris and Howard Beaver; Data Line Frank Paulmbo; Sasebo Ship Repair Facility Mike Bullard; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Dan Hagar and from PMA-213 Terry Gill and Lou Abbott. They teamed together to bring precision landing systems to the fleet and were recognized by Jaynes as the PMA-213 Team of the Quarter.