NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — In a time-honored military tradition marking the transference of leadership authority, NAVAIR’s Specialized and Proven Aircraft Program Office (PMA-226) held a change-of-command ceremony July 17 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina.

During the ceremony, Navy Cmdr. Anthony Jaramillo (pronounced haw-raw-MEÉ-yo) succeeded U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. David “Angus” Walsh as program manager of PMA-226, which has employees at MCAS Cherry Point; Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida; and NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. Jaramillo, who just completed a Secretary of Defense corporate fellowship with Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, said he was eager to begin his new assignment.

“I look forward to working with the men and women of PMA-226,” Jaramillo said. “I plan to leverage the experience I gained working with industry to serve our fleet and partner nation customers. I also want to thank Angus for his leadership over the past three years. I am fortunate to gain such a talented team.”

With a background in the Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officer (AMDO) community, Jaramillo is no stranger to the myriad needs and requirements associated with legacy aircraft. His various acquisition, operational and shore command tours include: director for NAVAIR’s Technical Data and Engineering Service Center; the AMDO community manager at NAS Patuxent River; officer-in-charge for Fleet Readiness Center Southwest; and the assistant maintenance officer/maintenance material control officer/aircraft division officer for Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6, Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Jaramillo joined the U.S. Navy as an enlisted airman in 1984 and received his commission as a naval officer in 1995. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies as well as a master’s in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

After more than two decades supporting the retiring H-46 “Sea Knight” helicopter, PMA-226 broadened its mission in November 2011, assuming responsibility for several aircraft at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS), the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and out-of-inventory Foreign Military Sales (FMS).

The office now manages five types of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft at USNTPS, including T-38 Talons, UH-72 Lakotas, U-6A Beavers, an NU-1-B Otter and X-26 Frigates. Supporting NPS’ Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely Piloted Aircraft Studies, PMA-226 also oversees O-2A Pelicans, UV-18A Twin Otters and Sentry Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Walsh, who takes on new duties at the Marine Aviation Detachment at NAS Patuxent River, reflected on his three-year tenure leading PMA-226.

“It's truly been a privilege to work with a team so dedicated to supporting the warfighters,” Walsh said. “I’m most proud of how the teams have integrated to make a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. All the units we support — from the Marine squadrons, to the test pilot school, to our foreign military partners — have benefited from the combined experience and knowledge of our team. I know great things are ahead for PMA-226 and I know Tony will enjoy leading this program.”

Keith Sanders, the assistant commander for Acquisition who has oversight of PMA-226, traveled to MCAS Cherry Point for the change-of-command ceremony. He saluted the PMA-226 team for its flexibility and focus on mission readiness.

“I remain impressed by PMA-226’s ability to rebrand itself while maintaining the utmost mission readiness,” Sanders said. “Tony is inheriting an extremely talented team of professionals who have consistently proven themselves as their mission evolved, expanded and transitioned across multiple platforms.”

ABOUT CMDR. ANTHONY JARAMILLO

HOMETOWN:  Waterloo, Iowa

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies; master’s in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

RÉSUMÉ: Just completed a Secretary of Defense corporate fellowship with Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems; other tours include: director for NAVAIR’s Technical Data and Engineering Service Center; officer-in-charge for Fleet Readiness Center Southwest; Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officer community manager at NAS Patuxent River

HOBBIES: “Surfing — any water activities. “I love working out, running and biking.”

FAVORITE SUPERHERO: “My childhood superhero is Mighty Mouse — a solid reminder that the smallest of things can have a huge impact on what we do.”