By Lt. Mike Randazzo for NRP Public Affairs

PATUXENT RIVER, MD-- Re-enlistments in the Navy Reserves are memorable occasions as a Sailor passes a milestone in his or her career and looks forward to the road ahead. But when Aviation Boatswain's Mate Fuels Chief Thomas E. Wharton raised his right hand and repeated his service oath almost one year ago, little did he know that this important milestone would eventually be celebrated at more than 300 knots in the back seat of a F/A-18 Super Hornet jet.

The flight took place recently at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River here courtesy of VX-23, the Naval Air Systems Command's (NAVAIR) largest flight test organization. Cmdr. J.E. Pagannelli, VX-23's executive officer, was the pilot for the 1 1/2 hour trip that was part of the squadron's regularly scheduled flight test program. The preparatory qualifications for the flight were scheduled over time, but it was worth the wait and one of the most memorable experiences in the Sailor's 20-year active and reserve Navy career.

"For me one of the most memorable parts of the flight was feeling the power, maneuverability, ease, and grace of flying in the Navy's most elite fighter attack aircraft and knowing that my reserve unit is part of its support network," Wharton said.

Currently, Wharton is a member of the NAVAIR Reserve Program and drills with Naval Test Squadron 0195 (NR NTS 0195) at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

The mission of NR NTS 0195 is to provide engineering consulting and technical support to NAVAIR's Engineering and Research competency, AIR 4.0, and Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division to provide on-site maintenance support for the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.

Wharton, who is among a team of 24 officers and enlisted personnel, provides support in the areas of avionics, ordnance, support equipment, supply, aviation maintenance administration, engines, and aviation structures and electrical maintenance. At VX-23, NR NTS 0195 provides technical maintenance for the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft contributing to the increased mission capable readiness of VX-23. Instead of conducting drills at a reserve center, unit members provide operational fleet support to VX-23 on a monthly basis.

In civilian life, Wharton works for L-3 Communication as a simulation engineer where he helps train Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corp fighter pilots after these air craft receive upgrades.

"Training is a vital part of cost-wise readiness. I'm grateful to wear the uniform of the nation and that I'm able to use my civilian skills to contribute to making sure that the Navy's aircraft are ready for tasking," Wharton said.

The NAVAIR Reserve Program (NRP) provides qualified and diverse civilian and military expertise in the operational support of NAVAIR research and development, engineering, program management, logistics, and industrial capability activities. The 650 Navy Reserve officer and enlisted men and women of the NRP train constantly to respond to evolving NAVAIR missions enabling the organization to harvest tangible cost reductions for fleet recapitalization. The NRP is comprised of 32 units based in 14 states.

(PHOTO CAPTION) Worth the wait: Aviation Boatswain's Mate Fuels Chief Thomas E. Wharton prepares for take off in the back seat of a F/A-18 Super Hornet jet. The flight, which was part of a belated re-enlistment celebration, took place recently at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River here courtesy of VX-23, the Naval Air Systems Command's (NAVAIR) largest flight test organization. Currently, Wharton is a member of the NAVAIR Reserve Program and drills with Naval Test Squadron 0195 (NR NTS 0195) at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.