Submitted by TEAM Public Affairs, China Lake

NAWCAD CHINA LAKE, Calif. -- Captain Jim Seaman became the commanding officer, Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, Calif., on July 28. He relieved Captain John Langford, who retired. Langford, whose Navy career began in 1973, became commanding officer of Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake in June of 1998.

Seaman, a native of St. Augustine, Fla., graduated from the University of Florida in June 1978 with a bachelor's of science degree in nuclear engineering. Seaman was commissioned an ensign through the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps Program. He was designated a naval aviator in December 1980. He reported to China Lake as the NAWS Executive Officer last year in July.

Seaman's initial tour of duty was with Attack Squadron 35, based out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., where he flew the A-6E Intruder. He participated in the "Guns of August" Libyan action and provided ready close-air support for U.S. Marines in Lebanon from USS Nimitz. Seaman served as the conventional and nuclear weapons training officer, the maintenance quality assurance officer and was a wing-qualified landing signal officer.

The Navy selected Seaman for test pilot training at the Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River in June 1984. Then he was assigned to the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate, Carrier Suitability Branch.

Seaman was assigned to Attack Squadron 185, which was forward-deployed onboard USS Midway, based out of Yokosuka, Japan, in August 1987. While there, he orchestrated the transition of a CONUS-based squadron to one based in the Far East as part of his duties as administrative officer. He also served as maintenance officer. During this period the squadron won every award possible for a deployed squadron. He was the primary architect in developing tactics used in the North Arabian Seas for Earnest Will tanker escort operations.

Seaman next came to VX-5 at China Lake as the operations officer and chief operational test director his prime responsibility was the successful executive of more than 60 chief of naval operations projects. While at China Lake, he earned a master's of science degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee.

From here, Seaman reported to program manager AIR-278 located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he served as deputy program manager for test and evaluation of the tri-service standoff attack missile. This involved coordination of seven test locations, resolution of test issues with many different launch platforms and coordination with the Army and Air Force.

As CO of Naval Weapons Test Squadron, Point Mugu, Seaman's squadron had 38 aircraft and 650 personnel and a diverse mission. Squadron aircraft support test ranges world-wide with the NP-3s, QF-4s supported fleet operations and full-scale target requirements, and the F-14s were the test beds for advanced weapon systems, incorporated as part of constant improvements "on the finest fighter in the world."

He was awarded a tour at the Pentagon in the office of the chief of naval operations, Code N-88 in June 1997. His responsibilities included developing the Navy program for global air traffic management, implementing many of the safety improvements for all Navy aircraft, installation of GPS and support for all common avionics.

He next reported to the Joint Strike Fighter Program office in June 1998 where he served as the systems integrator for the Lockheed-Martin Skunk Works X-35 aircraft.

Seaman has logged more than 3,000 hours in 67 different aircraft and has accumulated 660 arrested landings.

His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal and various campaign and unit awards.

Seaman and his wife, Betty, have two children, Lani, age 14, and Kari, age 13.