PMA-226 strengthens alliance by returning historic helicopter to service

In a powerful demonstration of its commitment to international partners, the Adversary and Specialized Aircraft Program Office (PMA-226) has successfully returned a historically significant VH-3A Sea King to the skies for the Egyptian Air Force. The project, completed in February, modernizes a key aviation asset and reinforces a strategic partnership built on decades of cooperation.

Teams complete first F-16 sustainment repair ahead of schedule

The Adversary and Specialized Aircraft Program Office (PMA-226) and Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) have exceeded expectations by completing the first-ever Programmed Structural Sustainment Repair (PSSR) on a U.S. Navy F-16C Viper this month, delivering the aircraft eight months early.

This milestone marks a historic win for both organizations, showcasing their ability to deliver critical capabilities to the fleet with unprecedented speed and precision.

PMA-226/PMA-257 welcomes new program manager to dual leadership role

The Adversary and Specialized Aircraft Program Office (PMA-226) and the AV-8B Harrier Program Office (PMA-257) welcomed new leadership during a change of command and retirement ceremony July 17 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. 

Capt. Jason Pettitt assumed command of both PMAs, relieving Capt. Greg Sutton as program manager, who retires after 27 years of naval service.

Sutton served as PMA-226 program manager since 2022 and assumed concurrent command of PMA-257 in March 2025.

Link wins top defense acquisition award

The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, William A. LaPlante, announced the winners of the 2023 Defense Acquisition Workforce Awards, naming Rhonda Link, Adversary and Specialized Aircraft Program Office (PMA-226), as the winner of the Individual Achievement Award for Services Acquisition.

The five annual awards, representing 24 separate categories, recognize individual and team accomplishments that advance the National Defense Strategy and support the Secretary of Defense's priorities through excellence in acquisition.

Navy’s Adversary Aircraft Team wins top defense acquisition workforce award

The Navy’s Specialized and Proven Aircraft Program Office’s (PMA-226) Adversary Aircraft Team won the DoD Acquisition Workforce Award for flexibility in contracting Dec. 14 in a virtual ceremony with senior leadership. 

The PMA-226 Adversary Aircraft Team employed a novel strategy to modernize Navy and Marine Corps F-5 aircraft by combining an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contracting approach while leveraging existing commercial technology and an abbreviated test program to increase affordability, capability, and safety. 

NAVAIR program manager wins top Navy award for Acquisition Professional of the Year

The Specialized and Proven Aircraft program office’s (PMA-226) Principal Deputy Program Manager Andy Wilkinson received the Department of the Navy’s Acquisition Excellence Award for Acquisition Professional of the Year Nov.3 at a ceremony held in the Pentagon.  

The Navy Acquisition Excellence Awards recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated excellent performance in the acquisition and sustainment of products and services for the Navy and Marine Corps.