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.

“There is no better example of people-focused leadership than Col. Pappas,” said BGen Walsh, “his leadership style is full of energy and involvement in his people, making sure they are taken care of and have what they need to do their job well, and it shows. He is the first one to say that the program’s success was due to his team’s efforts, but it wouldn’t have happened without his leadership.”

Col. Duke, who was promoted to his current rank in January 2024 and assumed command of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Marine Aviation Detachment in May 2024 before assuming command of PMA-276, will oversee a program office that continues to provide world-class support to the Light/Attack Helicopter community.

“Col. Duke’s fleet credibility, acquisition experience, and leadership qualities will build upon this successful program,” said BGen Walsh “and with a focus on the warfighter, PMA-276 will continue to deliver next-generation capability upgrades to the light attack and utility helicopter platforms for our Marines and our international partners.”

During the change of command ceremony, Col. Pappas was presented with the Legion of Merit for outstanding meritorious conduct in the performance of exceptional service as the H-1 Program Manager from March 2021 through March 2025.

Col. Pappas expertly led his military, government, and contractor personnel in the development, production, test, fielding, and sustainment efforts of the AH-1Z and AH-1W attack helicopters, and UH-1Y utility helicopters. He oversaw the completion of the domestic program of record with delivery of the 349th aircraft and the additional delivery of aircraft to our foreign military sales (FMS) partners, Bahrain and the Czech Republic. He led the H-1 enterprise in achieving the longest sustained positive Mission Capable Aircraft Required (MCAR) and Fully Mission Capable Aircraft Required (FMCAR) requirement rates in decades. Col. Pappas’ leadership ability, personal initiative, and unswerving dedication to duty over this tour and the past 28 years reflected great credit upon himself and in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition, formally restating the continuity of the authority of command. It is a formal ritual conducted before the assembled company of the command, guests, and dignitaries. The heart of the ceremony is the formal reading of official orders by the relieving officer and the officer to be relieved. Command passes upon the utterance by the relieving officer, “I relieve you, Sir.” The officer being relieved responds, “I stand relieved.” This simple ceremony of passing authority and responsibility from one to another reflects the dedication of free men serving their nation proudly.

PMA-276 manages the cradle-to-grave procurement, development, support, fielding, and disposal of the Marine Corps rotary wing close air support, anti-armor, armed escort, armed/visual reconnaissance, and fire support program systems.