NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Navy’s Strike Planning and Execution Systems Program Office (PMA-281) welcomed a new leader during a change-of-command ceremony March 27 the Rear Adm. William A. Moffett Building here.

Capt. Ralph Lee, the  former Acquisition Executive in Residence at the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) in Fort Belvoir, Va., takes on a new role overseeing PMA-281, where he will be responsible for mission planning systems for all naval aviation, to a command and control system for the Tomahawk Cruise Missile.

“I’m incredibly excited and humbled to be working with you,” Lee said. “We will provide the weapon system components that help turn thoughts into effective action, which become physical effects on the battlefield, whether it is bombs on target, electronic attack, or ‘boots on the ground.’”

Mike Paul, who led PMA-281, will now serve as the associate dean for Outreach and Mission Assistance for the mid-Atlantic region at DAU.

Rear Adm. Mat Winter, who leads the Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons Program Executive Office (PEO(U&W)), which has oversight of PMA-281, praised Paul’s leadership during his remarks as keynote speaker for the ceremony.

“Mike’s leadership, acquisition expertise and personal commitment to mission have ensured the success of all PMA-281 efforts,” Winter said. “He is always proactive, able to cut through the fluff to the heart of an issue. Mike’s impact and legacy will be felt for decades to come.”

Under Paul’s leadership, the “professors of PMA-281” led a mission planning system for all of naval aviation, developed and maintained a command and control system for the Tomahawk cruise missile, and created a system that will change the way we operate unmanned aircraft in the future, Winter said.

“I was blessed with a talented and dedicated team that wants to make a difference in the defense of our nation, and they are doing just that,” Paul said in his remarks as the outgoing program manager. “My success as a program manager came from my team around me. I am honored to serve with such professionals.”

A graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles,  PMA-281’s new program manager received his commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps and was designated a naval flight officer in 1991.

Originally an A-6E Intruder bombardier/navigator, Lee spent time aboard the Nimitz-class carriers before receiving his Master of Science degree in electrical engineering in 2000 from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif.

Since then, Lee has completed tours with the Tactical Tomahawk All-Up-Round (AUR) development program; P-3C Orion program; Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstration advanced development program; the Aircrew Systems Program Office (PMA-202); and was the Program Management (AIR-1.0) chief of staff.

PMA-281 is responsible for the strike planning and execution systems that control the take-off, flight and operation of aircraft and weapons throughout the Department of the Navy.