A CH-53K heavy lift helicopter transported an inoperable F-35B Lightning II airframe from Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina on Aug. 27.

The King Stallion helicopter was flown by a Marine aircrew from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, MCAS New River, North Carolina. The F-35, known as BF-1, was the first F-35 to perform a vertical landing. It was without its mission and propulsion systems, outer wings, or additional equipment and will be used as a permanent static display at MCAS Beaufort.

The annual Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Commanders Awards were held August 13 at NAS Patuxent River. During the event, three program executive office (PEO) air, anti-submarine warfare, assault, and special mission (A) program offices (PMA) were among the eight winners.

The event was presided over by Rear Adm. Todd Evans, NAWCAD Commander.

The U.S. Navy’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office (PMA-271) and Strategic Communications Wing 1 (SCW-1) announced the official popular name for the Navy’s new Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission aircraft: E-130J Phoenix II.

Members of the Air Vehicle department from H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office (PMA-261) have coordinated with the Human Systems Engineering Department’s Aircraft Lighting and Transparency Lab (ALTL) and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX)-21 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland, and Sikorsky to find a replacement to a search light on the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter. This group effort is due to the current light becoming difficult to obtain through the manufacturer.

Increment 3 Block 2 modifications are complete for the first P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The modifications outfit the P-8A with the full anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities outlined in the P-8A program’s evolutionary acquisition strategy. The modifications began at Boeing’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul hangar at Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, Florida in March 2024.

Four teams across three Air, Anti-submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission (PEO(A)) programs were awarded highest Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) honors during the annual NAVAIR Commanders Award ceremony held June 4. 

In a message to the NAVAIR community, Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, Commander, NAVAIR stated “Our award winners rose to the top from a remarkable pool of 129 exceptional nominees, all of whom demonstrated the mindset, behaviors and commitment that drive our mission forward—delivering the warfighting capability our fleet needs, at a cost we can afford.” 

Air Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems Program Office (PMA-264) Capt. Gregory Hinkle relieved Capt. Dennis Lloyd in a change of command ceremony on May 30 among family, friends, and co-workers.

The ceremony was presided over by Brig. Gen. David Walsh, program executive officer, Air, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission Programs (PEO (A)).

The Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) MCAA recognized five winners from the Program Executive Office, Air, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission Programs (PEO (A)) for their achievements at its annual awards banquet April 17 at The White Rose, Callaway, Md.

The MCAA John Glenn Squadron holds a yearly recognition of top civilian and military performers within the Marine Corps acquisition community for the prior calendar year.

Guest of honor Brig. Gen. David Walsh, PEO (A), remarks touched on the great importance of the work being done in acquisition.

A routine site visit to Oklahoma’s Tinker Air Force Base turned into a unique multi-generational moment for Navy Capt. Adam Scott and his son Lt. j.g. Andrew Scott. The pair shared the cockpit of an E-6B Mercury simulator, executing the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission—a first and only opportunity for them to collaborate on this vital operation.

Legacy of dedication to the TACAMO mission