NAVAIR Point Mugu, CA –
Thursday,Feb. 13, 2003 Commander Wade ”Torch” Knudson assumed command of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron THREE ZERO (VX-30) from Capt. Daven “Rock” Madsen. Knudson will command the squadron, known as the Bloodhounds, and strive to uphold their motto: "Relentless Pursuit of Excellence."

Before departing, outgoing Madsen thanked the sailors of VX-30, acknowledging their professionalism and dedication to duty, qualities which made his tenure fulfilling and enjoyable. “The ceremony today is really not so much for the incoming or outgoing CO, but for the command; the dedicated men and women of the VX-30 you see arrayed behind you. For them it represents the natural continuation of a tradition of, as our Constitution puts it: ’providing for the common defense;’ a tradition which the Bloodhounds have excelled at since their establishment in 1994,” he summarized.

Knudson stated, “I couldn’t have asked for a better commanding officer, mentor, and friend and the squadron could not have asked for any better leader. You said when you assumed command that you would have your work cut out for you: to keep the squadron on an upward trend. Well, sir, you have led the squadron, through every challenge, with inspiring and courageous leadership. You’ve left the Bloodhounds a much better squadron than when you assumed command – and for that, I thank you.”

Staying focused on the future, Knudson continued, “Each of us--military, civilian and contractor--play a role in the success of the Bloodhounds. Cohesiveness will help us overcome any obstacle that gets in the way of successfully executing our mission. And we all know what that is: To develop weapons and weapon systems that enable the warfighter to put missiles in enemy cockpits and bombs through their front doors.”

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Knudson was born in Denver, CO. and was designated a naval aviator in December 1985. He was selected to fly the carrier based electronic combat aircraft, the EA-6B Prowler, with the Rooks of VAQ-137. While there, he deployed to the Mediterranean aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-62).

Following graduation from the United States Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS), Patuxent River, MD., in 1989, he served at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, in the flight systems and carrier suitability branches of the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate (VX-23). After two years of flight test, he returned to USNTPS as a fixed wing flight instructor.

Then it was on to Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA. were Knudson earned a masters of science in astronautical engineering and an engineer’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering.

From January 1995 through 1997, he was assigned to Naval Weapons Test Squadron Point Mugu (VX-30) as the head of the strike systems department where he worked on the Standoff Land Attack Missile – Expanded Response as project officer and test pilot for the initial integration into the FA-18. Following successful transition of that program into operational test, he was assigned as deputy program manager for the AIM-9X Sidewinder.

Serving as the chief test pilot for VX 30 since November 2001, Knudson has been responsible for conducting of all flight-testing in the squadron’s 38 airplanes. He has over 3,000 flight hours in 70 different type aircraft. His decorations include the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal.