Each year the Department of War (DOW) recognizes exceptional acquisition professionals from the prior year. During the 2025 acquisition year, three Program Executive Office, Air, Anti-submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission Programs (PEO(A)) teams and individuals were winners during the Feb. 18 ceremony held at the Pentagon.

Colonel Jason Duke relieved Colonel Vasilios Pappas as the commanding officer of the USMC H-1 Light/Attack Helicopter Program Office (PMA-276) during a change of command ceremony at the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two One’s (HX-21) hangar on Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Mar. 20.

The change of command ceremony was presided over by Brigadier General David Walsh, Program Executive Officer for Air, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission Programs, who offered words of encouragement and praise to both Col. Pappas and Col. Duke.

A unique training opportunity for H-1, H-60, H-53, and V-22 aircrew members provided a rare opportunity for aircrews to regain aerial gunnery qualifications in a cost-efficient manner. The multi-program training was completed on July 11 at the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River firing tunnel, hosted by Air Vehicle Stores Compatibility (AVSC) H-1 Engineering Technician, Michael Hunt.  

Two AH-1Z Vipers arrived in the Czech Republic this week, marking the first in-country delivery as part of a partnership with the US Marine Corps H-1 Light/Attack Helicopter program office (PMA-276) and industry partner, Bell.