Mission Integration & Special Programs Office
PMA-298 Mission
In a multi-level security environment, inform stakeholder requirements and investment decisions, transition lethal and survivable capability to Fleet operators, coordinate implementation of integrated warfighting capabilities, and enable emerging programs.
PMA-298 Vision
Ensure the delivery of high-end, Integrated Warfighting Capability the Navy needs to fight and win, at a cost we can afford.
PMA-298 Focus Areas
- Provide fully informed analysis to support OPNAV investment decisions
- Develop System of Systems (SoS) Integrated Capability Technical Baselines (ICTB) to implement the NIFC role-based architecture and technical standards and facilitate SoS integration and test
- Identify, technically mature, and transition science and technology to improve SoS lethality, survivability and interoperability by decomposition of SoS requirements
- Leverage capabilities inherent in existing platforms/systems
- Accelerate emerging technologies into platform/weapon system development
Brian Arena
Captain
Capt. Brian C. Arena is a native of Fairport, N.Y. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. In 2002 he completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 2003. He graduated from Aviation Electronic Warfare School in 2003, the EA-6B Fleet Replacement Squadron (VAQ-129) in 2004, and the EA-18G Fleet Replacement Squadron (VAQ-129) in 2014. Arena is a 2008 graduate from the School of Aviation Safety and a 2016 graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned a Master of Science in Systems Engineering.
Arena’s aviation operational tours include flying the EA-6B Prowler with the ZAPPERS of VAQ-130 and the STAR WARRIORS of VAQ-209. He completed two combat deployments aboard USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75) in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, one gap-fill deployment to Iwakuni, Japan, and four expeditionary deployments to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. He transitioned from flying the venerable EA-6B to the EA-18G Growler with VAQ-209 and completed three deployments to UNITED STATES INDOPACIFIC COMMAND in support of Commander, Task Force 70 (CTF 70) Forward Presence Operations.
Arena’s previous command tours include Reserve Component S&T Unit 104, Office of Naval Research, and Aviation Command of VAQ-209 from December 2018 to May 2020. He was selected for O-6 Command of Navy Reserve, Naval Air Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC), Air Wing Fallon and assumed the duties of Commanding Office on February 1st, 2023. Additionally, he was recalled to active duty on April 1st, 2024 and is serving as the program manager for PMA-298, Mission Integration and Special Programs Office.
Arena’s shore assignments include Joint Planner and Deputy Mission Area Lead to the J5-Plans and Policy Directorate, UNITED STATES CYBER COMMAND. Additionally, he served as the Executive Officer and Branch Head for Aviation Warfare (N98) and Special Programs (N9SP) on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff assigned to Navy Reserve, Warfare Systems (OPNAV N9).
Arena’s Navy civilian career includes service as a Principal Deputy Program Manager, Technical Director, Chief Engineer, Senior Assistant Program Manager for Test and Evaluation, and Lead Test Engineer for Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and the Program Executive Offices for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO(U&W)) and Tactical Aircraft Programs (PEO(T)).
His personal awards include two (2) Meritorious Service Medal, five (5) Strike/Flight Air Medals for over 100 combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, one (1) Joint Service Commendation Medal, two (2) Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two (2) Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various unit and campaign awards. He has amassed over 2,800 flight hours and 150 carrier arrested landings in the EA-6B and EA-18G.