NORTH ISLAND, Calif. –
Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) is poised to transform V-22 sustainment for decades to come with the opening of a new, purpose-built V-22 repair facility at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI). The 65,000-square-foot modern hangar complex, building 418, is designed to enhance capacity, reduce turnaround time, increase safety and ensure Navy aircrews receive the mission-ready aircraft they rely on.
The facility represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in FRCSW’s history, an investment expected to support Naval Aviation for the next 75 to 100 years.
“This facility positions FRCSW as the premier V-22 repair depot on the West Coast, exactly what the Navy needs as these aircraft are increasingly vital to operations. Our artisans helped design this building, and it shows. Everything in here is about efficiency, safety and readiness,” said John Goolsby, FRCSW V-22 program manager.
Designed from the ground up for V-22 maintenance, modifications and in-service repairs, the hangar includes 40,000 square feet of main bay space and 25,000 square feet of shops, storage and administrative areas. It can accommodate four V-22 aircraft at once, a 25% increase in bay capacity. This expansion allows FRCSW to maintain its program of four Planned Maintenance Interval (PMI) events per year, while adding room for critical modifications, special inspections and unplanned repairs.
The new building marks a major improvement over the previous converted facility, which lacked internal shops and had only a single overhead crane. In contrast, building 418 features:
Two full-length 5-ton overhead bridge cranes
Dedicated composite shops
A sheet metal and machine shop
Specialized tool/individual material readiness list storage
A 8,294-square-foot kitting and storage complex
Onsite hazmat issue center and hazardous waste collection site
Underground fuel cell venting system
Integrated fall-protection system
Fully equipped training room
More than 80 FRCSW personnel—artisans, engineers, production controllers and logisticians—will work in the new facility daily, supported by advanced environmental, energy-efficiency and safety systems.
One of the most transformative improvements is the elimination of the constant “jockeying” that defined maintenance in the old hangar. Previously, aircraft, stands, tooling and personnel had to be rearranged frequently, and even a standard weight-and-balance check required towing the aircraft outside. In the new facility, every process can be performed inside the bay, with cranes, equipment, shops, storage and hazmat support located exactly where artisans need them. The integrated kitting area ensures every part, component and consumable is labeled, tracked and accessible, allowing leadership to assess progress at a glance.
“When you take away the need to constantly move aircraft, people and equipment, you get back efficiency. That translates into faster return-to-fleet times,” said Deputy Program Manager Joe Weides.
FRCSW artisans were heavily involved in the facility’s layout and workflow design. Goolsby, along with deputies Mike Dixon and Weides, solicited input from the teams who perform the work every day. Their recommendations shaped everything from shop placement to crane coverage to workstation design.
“That kind of collaboration is rare, but it’s why this building will work well for the artisans,” Weides said. “This isn’t just a hangar. It’s a tool, and the people who will use it helped craft it.”
The result is a facility that supports safe, efficient, high-quality maintenance while giving artisans a workplace worthy of their expertise. Excitement among FRCSW employees is palpable.
“Our team has supported the V-22 since the program’s inception. Working in a new, state-of-the-art facility brings a new sense of pride and momentum,” Goolsby said.
The V-22 program is entering a period of significant growth. As the CMV-22B replaces the aging C-2A Greyhound for Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) missions, demand for depot-level support continues to increase. COD aircraft are the lifeblood of the carrier air wing, transporting critical personnel, mail and supplies. FRCSW’s ability to sustain the Navy variant on the West Coast is essential.
The new facility cost $56 million to complete, down from an early estimate of $67 million, despite unexpected underground utilities issues, network challenges, design changes and the scale of construction over a 25-month period.
“This is a 100-year building. For the cost of a single aircraft, the Navy has secured a century of V-22 sustainment capability,” Goolsby said.
Partners in the effort included Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), RQ Construction, Jacobs (design firm), the V22 Joint Program Office, Commander Fleet Readiness Centers and the FRCSW Facilities and Integrated Product Teams. Despite challenges, the project was delivered on schedule, under budget and built to last.
This building meets all federal high-performance and sustainable building requirements, including full documentation for GBCI Guiding Principles compliance, which assesses federal building sustainability.
With the opening of this state-of-the-art facility, FRCSW takes a decisive step toward its strategic goal: becoming the premier V-22 repair facility for the Navy and Marine Corps.
The improvements aren’t just about saving time—they enhance safety, reduce lifecycle costs and ensure every aircraft returned to the fleet is ready for the most demanding missions.
