NAVAIR Patuxent River, Md. – Capt. Rick Muldoon will take the helm of the Heavy Lift Helicopter program office following a change of command ceremony held in the atrium of the William B. Moffett building here Jan. 25.

Muldoon, currently serving as the Deputy for Operations for Program Executive Officer Air ASW, Assault & Special Mission Programs, will succeed Col. Paul Croisetiere, a 1977 U.S. Naval Academy graduate.

Croisetiere, a United States Naval Test Pilot, will be retiring from the United Sates Marine Corps with 30 years of distinguished service. Having served in all three active Marine Aircraft Wings, Croisetiere has more than 3,800 flight hours in 40 different aircraft series.

Muldoon, a Newington, Conn. native and 1984 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, began his naval aviation career in 1985 at Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Twelve.

Serving in HM-16 and HM-15, Muldoon transitioned to the MH-53E Sea Dragon, where he was selected to participate in the PACEX 89 deployment on board the USS Tripoli, the first fleet deployment of the MH-53E.

Following HM-16, Muldoon was given a special assignment as a Foreign Military Sales Instructor Pilot for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force in Iwakuni, Japan.

Subsequently reporting to HM-12, in Norfolk, Va., Muldoon served as a CH/MH-53E Instructor Pilot, Quality Assurance Officer and Wing Mine Warfare Tactics.

Muldoon deployed with HM-14 to the Persian Gulf for Desert Storm, where he flew over 50 combat hours in the tactical application of Airborne Mine Countermeasures against the Iraqi mine threat.

After attending the Empire Test Pilot School in Boscombe Down, UK., Muldoon was designated Engineering Test Pilot.

Serving as both Engineering Test Pilot and Navy/Marine Corps H-53 platform coordinator for the Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Squadron in Patuxent River, Md., Muldoon conducted flight tests in numerous Navy and Marine Corps helicopters, with primary responsibility for MH-53E testing.

Selected into the Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer community, Muldoon then served as the H-53 Avionics Project Officer for the Naval Air Systems Command focusing on leading a multi-platform, interdisciplinary government/contractor team in the acquisition of the Integrated Mechanical Diagnostic System, a health and usage monitor for all Navy/Marine Corps helicopters.

Upon completion of a Masters of Science Degree in Systems Engineering and Integration at the Naval Postgraduate School, Muldoon was awarded the 2001 Northrop Grumman Faculty Award for Excellence in Systems Engineering and Integration.

Returning to NAVAIR Muldoon served as the E-6B Deputy Program Manager for System Development and Demonstration until his promotion into his current position.

Muldoon has logged flight time in more than 41 unique aircraft and holds a world helicopter speed record, set in June 1993. In addition, he has received numerous accolades for acquisition reform leadership and was recognized as the Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division 1994 Test Pilot of the Year.

He and his wife Heather reside in Lusby and are the proud parents of Brian, Gordon, and Urmi.

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Photo of Capt. Muldoon
Capt. Rick Muldoon, incoming program manager for the Heavy Lift Helicopter program office, assumes command Jan. 25.

Photo of Col. Croisetiere
Col. Paul Crosietere, retiring from the United Sates Marine Corps after 30 years of distinguished service, passes the reins of the Heavy Lift Helicopter program office Jan. 25.