NAVAIR PATUXENT RIVER, MD - Little did Capt. Jay Gallamore know when he enlisted in the Navy in 1974, that 31 years later he would be at the helm of the Navy’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program, PMA-271, Patuxent River, Md.

As program manager of PMA-271, Gallamore will be responsible for the definition, development, test, evaluation, acquisition, and support of the E-6B Mercury aircraft and major upgrades to the airborne strategic communication systems.

Although Gallamore’s naval career began in 1974, it took a sharp turn upon graduating from Indiana University in 1981 and receiving his Naval Aviator wings in December 1982. Under the designation of naval aviator, Gallamore reported to the “Ironmen” of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Three (VQ-3) homeported at Barber’s Point, Hawaii. Moving from Hawaii to Virginia Beach, Va. he served his first shore assignment was with the “Green Pawns” of VA-42.

Selected to participate in a Pilot Exchange Program with the Air Force in preparation for “Take Charge and Move Out” (TACAMO) transition to the E-6 aircraft, Gallamore completed training at Castle AFB, Calif. and reported to Grissom AFB, Ind. where he flew both the KC-135 and EC-135 aircraft.

Returning to VQ-3 as one of the initial cadre of E-6 pilots, Gallamore led the Navy through the first transition from the EC-130 to the new E-6 aircraft.

Gallamore then served as the initial TACAMO Operations Officer for the Operations Directorate, U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt AFB, Neb. while simultaneously completing both Air Command and Staff College and Armed Forces Staff College.

Following his department head tour at Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Four, Tinker AFB, Okla., Gallamore assumed duties as Strategic Communications Wing ONE and Commander Task Force 124 Operations Officer where he was selected for command of a TACAMO squadron. Prior to his operational command tour, he was the Officer in Charge of the Naval Training Support Unit, now designated Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Seven.

After serving as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of VQ-3 for his command tour, Gallamore served as the TACAMO Requirements Officer on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. Subsequently he served as the Deputy Program Manager in the E-6 program office.

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Cutline:
Capt. Jay Gallamore, PMA-271 program manager, takes the helm of the E-6 Program.