McDonald assumes command at FRCE

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. – Marine Corps Col. Christopher McDonald II assumed command of Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) from Navy Capt. Randy Berti during a change of command ceremony Sept. 25.

During the ceremony, Berti formally transferred authority and responsibility of the depot to McDonald in front of an audience of hundreds of FRCE employees, distinguished visitors and special guests.

Berti assumed command Sept. 12, 2024, after serving as FRCE’s executive officer, the depot’s second-in-command, for two years. Berti said the four years he spent at FRCE gave him a front-row seat to the most service-focused team he has ever worked with.

“It has been an absolute honor to lead this command and witness firsthand the incredible talent and dedication of the great Americans of FRC East,” said Berti. “Beyond the services we provide, what truly defines FRC East is a culture of dedication to the mission. Every member of this world-class workforce is united by a clear, common purpose: keeping our warfighters safe and ready, every day. As I hand over the watch, I leave confident that this command's unique spirit and commitment will carry it forward to accomplish even greater things well into the future."

Under Berti’s leadership, FRCE significantly expanded its operational footprint and secured additional future workload, ensuring the depot’s role in supporting the warfighter for decades to come. This success was defined by a first-of-its-kind partnership between the Navy and the state of North Carolina to construct a new, state-of-the-art aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul complex at the North Carolina Global TransPark in Kinston.

FRCE celebrated the project with a ribbon cutting ceremony Sept. 17. The facility will support the depot’s incoming workload for the Navy and Marine Corps C/KC-130 Hercules/Super Hercules transport aircraft and Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II search and rescue helicopters and is scheduled to induct its first aircraft in 2026.

While the Kinston facility was the largest new addition during Berti’s command, FRCE also completed a major F-35 Lightning II expansion project in January 2025, which provided the command additional space and aircraft bays to support the increasing F-35 modification workload. Combined, these two infrastructure upgrades represent the opportunity to significantly increase the depot’s workload.

Berti also advanced the depot's capabilities for next-generation platforms. In early 2025, FRCE inducted the fleet's first CH-53K King Stallion for the Age Exploration Program, Depot, marking the first time the platform had ever undergone depot-level maintenance. This was followed by the induction of the platform’s first T408-GE-400 turboshaft engine, which powers the King Stallion. Additionally, the depot inducted its first CMV-22B Osprey, making FRCE the sole maintenance provider with the capability to overhaul all three V-22 variants.

These operational milestones were further bolstered by FRCE’s designation as the Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in October of 2024, positioning the depot as the enterprise’s leading site for polymer and metallic 3D-printed solutions.

Beyond operational achievements, Berti reinforced a command-wide culture of fiscal responsibility that achieved a $56 million positive impact to the depot’s net operating result in 2025. The command also successfully streamlined its billing process to close out over $330 million in sales orders and slashed financial adjustment turnaround times from weeks to just three days. These efforts earned the Comptroller Department recognition from the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for exceptional financial management.

FRCE also received numerous Department of the Navy-level safety and occupational health accolades with Berti in command. These include the depot’s second consecutive Chief of Naval Operations Shore Safety Award in the Large Industrial category, the Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award, and the Admiral Verk Clark Safety Award. The command was also recognized by the North Carolina Department of Labor with its eighth consecutive Gold Award and two Million-Hour Awards.

Berti was presented with the Legion of Merit during the ceremony for his service while in command. The Legion of Merit is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility.

McDonald, who has served as the depot’s executive officer since 2024 and previously served as the depot’s logistics and industrial operations military deputy group head from 2016 to 2018, said it is an incredible honor to return to the command in this new leadership capacity.

“It is an honor and privilege to take command of this outstanding organization,” McDonald said. “What this 3,900-plus workforce of Marines, Sailors and civilians brings to the fight each day is remarkable – directly contributing to the six warfighting functions of Marine aviation, the Navy and the Joint Force. Under Captain Berti’s command, FRC East consistently delivered critical world-class aviation maintenance and technical support to the fleet, having a direct positive impact on readiness.”

McDonald is a native of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and brings over 25 years of distinguished military service to his new role as FRCE commanding officer. McDonald’s military career began in 1998 upon enlisting in the Marine Corps. After earning his commission as an officer in December 1999, he built a distinguished career in aviation logistics, highlighted by his successful command of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 from 2018 to 2020.

Throughout his career, he has served in premier staff assignments, including serving as the aviation supply officer at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, D.C., and as a defense resource portfolio manager for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. McDonald also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

The incoming executive officer, Capt. Charles Fisher Jr., reports to FRCE after serving as the maintenance officer for Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach.

FRCE is North Carolina's largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, with more than 3,900 civilian, military and contract workers. Its annual revenue exceeds $886 million. The depot provides service to the fleet while functioning as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy; Naval Air Systems Command; and Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers.

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