NAVAL AIR WEAPONS STATION CHINA LAKE, Calif. - Rear Adm. Brian Corey was welcomed by familiar faces as he rejoined the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, this time, as their commander. Corey relieved Rear Adm. Mike Moran during a change of command ceremony at China Lake on Oct. 29.

“Coming back to China Lake has been one of the best decisions of my life,” Corey said. “With the young folks I’ve met here and the experience I see here in the audience and around this base, I am absolutely confident that we are going to find a new means of delivering the fleet capability that we need in a more affordable way. The future is indeed bright and I could not be happier to join you now as your commander.”

Corey’s experience in acquisition began with the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School where he was selected to fly the MiG-29 aircraft in Russia. He returns to China Lake where he previously worked with VX-31and the Advanced Weapons Lab.

The Granite City, Illinois native has served operationally as an F/A-18 pilot in Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, VFA-146 and command of VFA-193. During these tours, he participated in operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Provide Hope, Deny Flight, Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as several Western Pacific deployments.

Corey is a graduate of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. He is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and holds a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.

He led the Core Avionics Integrated Product Team and served as the deputy program manager for Systems and Advanced Development in the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program (PMA-265). Additionally, Corey commanded the Direct and Time Sensitive Weapons Program (PMA-242).

Moran will head back to Patuxent River, Maryland to serve as the program executive officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs.

“I’m a better acquisition professional, officer and overall person and it’s all due to you,” Moran said to the NAWCWD workforce. “Corey is a great leader and the organization is ready for him.”

Corey, the former Naval Air Systems Command vice commander, will also serve as NAVAIR’s assistant commander for Test and Evaluation in addition to his NAWCWD commander duties.

“Corey knows the people here, he knows the organization, but most importantly, he knows the mission,” said Vice Adm. Paul Grosklags, recently appointed NAVAIR commander. “I have every confidence that the Weapons Division is in great hands.”