Naval Test Wing Pacific
Naval Test Wing Pacific
Mission
To provide safe, effective and efficient ground and flight test, airborne flight test support and experimental operations of manned and unmanned aircraft, weapons and weapons systems through:
- Surveillance, clearance, telemetry, logistics and photometric support.
- Persistent, on-call search, rescue and incident response
- Operation of highly instrumented aircraft in support of developmental and integrated ground and flight test of aircraft, weapons and weapons systems
- Providing fleet experience test pilots and test naval flight officers to serve in aircraft and weapons test teams
- Operations support to the R-2508 Airspace Complex
- Maintenance, administrative, financial, aviation safety oversight and contract management for the VX-30 "Bloodhounds" and the VX-31 "Dust Devils."
Vision - "Fly and Test to Fight and Win"
Naval Test Wing Pacific is the preeminent organization in the conduct of flight test and flight test support of the latest weapons and warfare systems. We will execute our mission professionally, safely and with integrity to advance Naval and Marine Corps Air Wing lethality and to ensure the defense of our nation.
Captain David Halpern
Commodore, NTWP
Captain David Halpern, a native of Middletown, New York, was commissioned in 2000 after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan. Designated a Naval Flight Officer in 2002, he reported to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 for initial EA-6B Prowler training, and upon graduation joined the “Gray Wolves” of VAQ-142. As a Gray Wolf, Halpern deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and to Iwakuni, Japan.
Selected for the US Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) Cooperative program, Halpern was designated a Test Naval Flight Officer and earned a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology after graduating USNTPS in December 2008.
Halpern joined the “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 in 2008, where he conducted ground and flight test of the EA-18G Growler, F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-6B, and X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System. While at VX-23, Halpern was recognized as the 2010 Test Naval Flight Officer of the year.
In 2011, Halpern joined the “Lancers” of VAQ-131 as the Safety and Maintenance Officer and completed an around-the-world combat deployment in support of OEF aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
Halpern then reported to the Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWAC) in Dahlgren, Virginia. His roles included the J313 Branch Chief responsible for the command’s effects-based analysis and precision targeting support to USCENTCOM, USEUCOM, and USAFRICOM, and as the command liaison officer to US Forces Korea and the Joint Forces Component Command for Space. While at JWAC, Halpern earned an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and was selected for EA-18G operational command.
Halpern deployed with the “Wizards” of VAQ-133 aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-75) for an around-the-world combat cruise supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Freedom of Navigation operations throughout the South China Sea. In June 2019, Halpern assumed command of VAQ-133. Under his command, the squadron received the Battle E, Safety S, Retention Excellence, and Tactical Excellence and Maintenance Squadron of the year awards. Halpern was awarded the 2020 Vice Admiral John Perry award for the most significant contribution to the VAQ community.
Halpern joined the “Vampires” of VX-9 as the Chief Operational Test Director where he was responsible for Operational Test (OT) of the F-35C, F/A-18 E/F, EA-18G and the AV-8B. He led the command’s efforts supporting the Navy’s OT restructure and CNAF’s OT planning for the Air Wing of the Future. Halpern also served as a Deputy Program Manager with PMA-230, Next Generation Air Dominance, before taking over as Commodore, Naval Test Wing Pacific in July 2023.
Halpern has accumulated over 2,900 flight hours and 400 arrested landings primarily in the EA-18G, F/A-18F and EA-6B, along with 24 other aircraft. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Medal Strike/Flight (4), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3).
Andrew Anderson
Technical Director, NTWP
Andrew Anderson, a native of Northbrook, Illinois, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois.
In 2001, Anderson began his career with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Patuxent River, Maryland, working as a flight test engineer at the Rotary Wing Test Squadron. There he worked as a fly-by-wire flight controls test engineer, providing support to the MV-22B Integrated Test Team for all of their electrical and hydraulic flight control systems, including trouble shooting and software regression flight testing.
Anderson was selected to attend the United States Naval Test Pilot School in 2005, where he graduated with class 128.
Following test pilot school, he was designated the rotary-wing fly-by-wire technical subject matter expert, responsible for conducting digital fly-by-wire regression tests, which included handling qualities, structural, aero-servo-elastic, performance, and engine integration testing.
In 2012, Anderson joined the CH-53K Integrated Test Team as the air vehicle lead responsible for developing all aeromechanical tests for the CH-53K prior to first flight. In that position, he led a group of Naval Air Systems Command and contractor flight test engineers in Florida through first flight and initial operational testing. In 2015, Anderson took over the role of CH-53K lead test engineer responsible for all developmental tests of the aircraft leading the team through over 1,000 flight hours and transitioning the team from Florida to Patuxent River, Maryland.
In 2019, Anderson transferred to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in Point Mugu, California, where he serves the technical director for Naval Test Wing Pacific.
Naval Test Wing Pacific
Mission
To provide safe, effective and efficient ground and flight test, airborne flight test support and experimental operations of manned and unmanned aircraft, weapons and weapons systems through:
- Surveillance, clearance, telemetry, logistics and photometric support.
- Persistent, on-call search, rescue and incident response
- Operation of highly instrumented aircraft in support of developmental and integrated ground and flight test of aircraft, weapons and weapons systems
- Providing fleet experience test pilots and test naval flight officers to serve in aircraft and weapons test teams
- Operations support to the R-2508 Airspace Complex
- Maintenance, administrative, financial, aviation safety oversight and contract management for the VX-30 "Bloodhounds" and the VX-31 "Dust Devils."
Vision - "Fly and Test to Fight and Win"
Naval Test Wing Pacific is the preeminent organization in the conduct of flight test and flight test support of the latest weapons and warfare systems. We will execute our mission professionally, safely and with integrity to advance Naval and Marine Corps Air Wing lethality and to ensure the defense of our nation.
Captain David Halpern
Commodore, NTWP
Captain David Halpern, a native of Middletown, New York, was commissioned in 2000 after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan. Designated a Naval Flight Officer in 2002, he reported to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 for initial EA-6B Prowler training, and upon graduation joined the “Gray Wolves” of VAQ-142. As a Gray Wolf, Halpern deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and to Iwakuni, Japan.
Selected for the US Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) Cooperative program, Halpern was designated a Test Naval Flight Officer and earned a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology after graduating USNTPS in December 2008.
Halpern joined the “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 in 2008, where he conducted ground and flight test of the EA-18G Growler, F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-6B, and X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System. While at VX-23, Halpern was recognized as the 2010 Test Naval Flight Officer of the year.
In 2011, Halpern joined the “Lancers” of VAQ-131 as the Safety and Maintenance Officer and completed an around-the-world combat deployment in support of OEF aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
Halpern then reported to the Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWAC) in Dahlgren, Virginia. His roles included the J313 Branch Chief responsible for the command’s effects-based analysis and precision targeting support to USCENTCOM, USEUCOM, and USAFRICOM, and as the command liaison officer to US Forces Korea and the Joint Forces Component Command for Space. While at JWAC, Halpern earned an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Naval Postgraduate School and was selected for EA-18G operational command.
Halpern deployed with the “Wizards” of VAQ-133 aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-75) for an around-the-world combat cruise supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Freedom of Navigation operations throughout the South China Sea. In June 2019, Halpern assumed command of VAQ-133. Under his command, the squadron received the Battle E, Safety S, Retention Excellence, and Tactical Excellence and Maintenance Squadron of the year awards. Halpern was awarded the 2020 Vice Admiral John Perry award for the most significant contribution to the VAQ community.
Halpern joined the “Vampires” of VX-9 as the Chief Operational Test Director where he was responsible for Operational Test (OT) of the F-35C, F/A-18 E/F, EA-18G and the AV-8B. He led the command’s efforts supporting the Navy’s OT restructure and CNAF’s OT planning for the Air Wing of the Future. Halpern also served as a Deputy Program Manager with PMA-230, Next Generation Air Dominance, before taking over as Commodore, Naval Test Wing Pacific in July 2023.
Halpern has accumulated over 2,900 flight hours and 400 arrested landings primarily in the EA-18G, F/A-18F and EA-6B, along with 24 other aircraft. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Air Medal Strike/Flight (4), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3).
Andrew Anderson
Technical Director, NTWP
Andrew Anderson, a native of Northbrook, Illinois, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Illinois.
In 2001, Anderson began his career with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Patuxent River, Maryland, working as a flight test engineer at the Rotary Wing Test Squadron. There he worked as a fly-by-wire flight controls test engineer, providing support to the MV-22B Integrated Test Team for all of their electrical and hydraulic flight control systems, including trouble shooting and software regression flight testing.
Anderson was selected to attend the United States Naval Test Pilot School in 2005, where he graduated with class 128.
Following test pilot school, he was designated the rotary-wing fly-by-wire technical subject matter expert, responsible for conducting digital fly-by-wire regression tests, which included handling qualities, structural, aero-servo-elastic, performance, and engine integration testing.
In 2012, Anderson joined the CH-53K Integrated Test Team as the air vehicle lead responsible for developing all aeromechanical tests for the CH-53K prior to first flight. In that position, he led a group of Naval Air Systems Command and contractor flight test engineers in Florida through first flight and initial operational testing. In 2015, Anderson took over the role of CH-53K lead test engineer responsible for all developmental tests of the aircraft leading the team through over 1,000 flight hours and transitioning the team from Florida to Patuxent River, Maryland.
In 2019, Anderson transferred to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in Point Mugu, California, where he serves the technical director for Naval Test Wing Pacific.
