NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland – Capt. Stephen Tedford relieved Capt. James “Jim” Donnelly as the leader of the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Program Office (PMA-251) Sept. 18 during a change of command ceremony in the Rear Adm. William A. Moffett building at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

“Steve is simply not the next man up, but the right man up. Capt. Tedford, we welcome you to your new post and wish you great success,” said Rear Adm. Donald Gaddis, program executive officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs (PEO (T)) and guest speaker.

As the program manager, Tedford will lead a team of more than 700 people, jointly located at Patuxent River, Maryland, and Lakehurst, New Jersey. His previous position, the deputy program manager for future systems prepared and gave him an awareness of the program’s many facets. Leading the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) teams allowed Tedford to witness, first hand, the significant role aircraft launch and recovery equipment plays in supporting naval aviation and the fleet.

“I am truly grateful and humbled for the opportunity to lead this fantastic team into the future. Together we can only succeed,” said Tedford, who holds a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering.

Prior to reporting to PMA-251 in April 2012, Tedford served as the P-3 sustainment integrated product team lead and was responsible for the complete structural sustainment of 172 P-3 aircraft and the execution of a $1.5 billion budget. During his operational tours and as a naval aviator, he accumulated more than 3,100 flight hours in 40 different aircraft. Tedford also served as commanding officer of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (VX-30), where he executed a $25 million annual budget and earned the 2009 Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award.

As the new PMA-251 program manager, Tedford’s experiences and expertise will enable him to continue to build on the ground work and the program successes that Donnelly has made over past seven years.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be sending Jim off after almost seven years. I am honored to witness the transfer of leadership of [PMA-251], one of the largest and most diverse portfolios within the PEO,” Gaddis said. “Jim, you’ve done an absolutely superb job. You brought the right amount of operational experience, considerable leadership skills, and most importantly, your patience to the position … (you) have proven yourself an effective program manager.”

Under Donnelly’s expert fiscal leadership, the AAG team added $135 million in fixed price awards, and he guided the EMALS team through congressional, media and Chief of Naval Operations oversight, enabling the program to continue development while improving reliability toward fielding.

He also collaborated with fleet stakeholders to develop a triad construct to address in-service ALRE readiness, creating a proactive approach to ensure fielded systems are fully functional and serving the American Sailor and Marine. New equipment reached critical testing phases and advancements continued to improve upon existing ALRE products throughout the fleet during Donnelly’s tenure, with completion of operational testing of the highly-anticipated time-saving and safety-enhancing Compact Swaging Machine aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and the first advanced stabilized glide slope indicator operational test flight aboard the USS Fort Worth (LCS-3).

During his remarks, Donnelly recalled early on saying to Gaddis, “This is the guy. He is the whole package and could take over for me today. I know Capt. Tedford is going to do an amazing job.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the ALRE team. It’s been wonderful to be part of history in the making and celebrate the triumphs and, during the challenges, I’ve been continually amazed by this group’s ability to innovate and persevere. The mutual support was fantastic,” Donnelly said.

The Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Program Office (PMA-251) provides life-cycle acquisition management for 47 Navy and Marine Corps systems and types of equipment used for the launch and recovery of current and future fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The program has responsibility for the definition, research and development, test and evaluation, acquisition, certification and modernization of catapults, arresting gear, helicopter landing systems, wind measuring systems, aviation marking and lighting installed aboard ships, recovery systems and visual landing aids installed ashore, afloat Navy aircraft firefighting equipment and expeditionary airfield equipment. As the primary interface with the Naval Sea Systems Command, the program is responsible for the integration onboard ships and management of shipboard aviation facilities. PMA-251 provides program support to all classes of aircraft carrier, amphibious assault and air capable ships.