Three newly selected admirals from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) spent Sept. 22 – 25 learning about Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division capabilities at China Lake and Point Mugu.

“I think understanding the intellectual property that is here at NAWCWD presents tremendous opportunities,” said Rear Adm. Dean Peters, program manager for NAVAIR’s Presidential Helicopter Program. “There is a lot of talent out here and areas of expertise that I wasn’t aware of.”

Joining Peters on the tour was Rear Adm. (select) Shane Gahagan, military director for NAVAIR’s Integrated Warfare Capability Enterprise Team, and Rear Adm. (select) Brian Corey, NAVAIR Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5).

They toured Air, Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 30, sea range facilities, and saw infrared measurements and Intrepid Tiger integration capabilities.

The new admirals learned about avionics, sensors, electronic warfare capabilities, and threat and target systems. They also received a tour of the NAWCWD Electronic Combat Simulation and Evaluation Laboratory as well as the Airborne Electronic Attack Weapons System Support Laboratory.

“I am really impressed with the breadth of knowledge and skillsets at NAWCWD,” Gahagan said. “I’ve enjoyed everything we’ve seen, but I enjoyed learning about the capabilities at Point Mugu the most. The electronic warfare work being done there is impressive.”

At China Lake, they toured VX-31 and received an overview of NAWCWD’s mission.

They spent the next two days learning about the work being accomplished by the command in Research and Engineering, Weapons and Energetics, Research and Intelligence, and Systems Engineering.

“I have been stationed with NAWCWD twice and worked in two (program offices) where production was accomplished at China Lake and Point Mugu, so you would think that I am very familiar with NAWCWD capabilities,” Corey said. “But I must say that I learn something new and interesting every time I visit.”

They finished their tour by meeting with individual, program-specific groups.

“This was a perfect opportunity to showcase our cutting-edge capabilities and technical relevance,” said Rear Adm. Mike Moran, NAWCWD commander. “We showed NAVAIR’s newest admirals how our uniquely skilled workforce can help translate emerging operational requirements into solutions for the warfighter.”