Colonel Jason T. Duke serves as the program manager for the H-1 Program Office (PMA-276) at the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD.

Originally from Santa Rosa, California, Colonel Jason T. Duke graduated from Cal Poly in June 1997 with a B.S. in Biochemistry. He completed OCC-178 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in December 2001. He completed The Basic School and flight training, earning his wings in March 2004.

After completing SERE school, he was designated a UH-1N “Huey” pilot and assigned to the Gunfighters of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 369 where he deployed to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) in Sep 2005 to Apr 2006. He was designated a Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) in April 2007 and deployed twice more to OIF before he departed HMLA-369. 

Captain Duke began his acquisition journey in July 2009 by transitioning to the UH-1Y and AH-Z and served as the Government Flight Representative (GFR) and Aviation Safety Officer (ASO) at DCMA Bell Helicopter. He was selected to the United States Naval Test Pilot School and graduated with Class 142 and reported to VX-31 at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, CA for duties as an H-1 Project Officer, Weapon System Support Activity (WSSA) Military Deputy and H-1 Department Head. Major Duke entered the Acquisition Professional MOS in 2013 and in 2015 entered the Society for Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) and graduated from Colorado State University with his MBA.

Major Duke then reported to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron ONE (MAWTS-1) for service as the Aviation Development, Tactics and Evaluation (ADT&E) Department Head, Instructor Pilot, and station Search and Rescue (SAR) Pilot. His team stood up the first NAVAIR Flight Test Engineer WTI course and graduated three NAVAIR engineers over four WTI courses.

Following his department head tour, he reported to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to work at the PMA-276, PMA-275, and PMA-257 program offices to serve in various Deputy Program Manager billets managing cost, schedule, and performance in various lead roles ranging from foreign military sales (FMS) to capabilities development, and lifecycle sustainment and readiness. He was promoted to his current rank January 2024 and assumed the duties of Patuxent River Marine Aviation Detachment Commanding Officer in May 2024 and assumed the duties of Program Manager for the USMC Light/Attack Helicopter Program Office (PMA-276) in March 2025.

Colonel Duke is DAWIA-Certified Advanced in Program Management; Practitioner in Test & Evaluation; Foundational in Engineering & Technical Management; and Intermediate in Security Cooperation Case Life Cycle Management. He is a graduate of the Air War College, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Expeditionary Warfare School, US Naval Test Pilot School, Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, and Aviation Safety Officer Course. 

Colonel Duke has logged 2,700 mishap-free flight hours in over 25 different type/model/series aircraft. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Strike/Flight Air Medal (15), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and various campaign and unit awards. He also received the 2022 “MCAA John Glenn Squadron LtGen Michael A. Hough Acquisition Officer of the Year” and the 2010 “DCMA Aviation Operations ASO of the Year” awards. He is married to Jaimee’ Duke of Cloverdale, CA and they have two children: Amaya and Andrew, and reside in Southern Maryland.