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Thursday, April 15, 2010
The County Times
P-8A Poseidon, The New Kid in Pax Town
The first P-8A Poseidon test aircraft arrived at Pax River, April 10. The aircraft, recently assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX20), arrived after a six hour, 55 min flight from Boeing’s Seattle facilities. VX-20’s Government Flight Test Director, Cmdr. Jim Reining, along with VX-1’s Operational Test Director, Cmdr. John Verniest, and Boeing’s P-8A chief pilot, Chris Dobb, delivered the aircraft referred to as T1. “It was an exciting moment to watch the first P-8A Poseidon touch down U.S. Navy photo by Liz Goettee at Pax River today,” said The U.S. Navy’s newest maritime patrol and reconnaissance test aircraft, P-8A Capt. Mike Moran, Mari- Poseidon, left, flies with a P-3 Orion along side, prior to landing at Naval Air time Patrol and Reconnais- Station Patuxent River. The P-8A is replacing the P-3. sance Aircraft program from PMA-290 and Boeing management and is manager (PMA-290). “The maritime patrol and reconnaissance platform is excited to get to work testing at Pax River.” The Poseidon ITT, comprised of Navy test in great demand throughout the world and this flight put us one step closer to delivering Posei- squadrons (VX-20 and VX-1), and Boeing, will don to the Fleet. I cannot be more proud of our utilize T1 to evaluate the P-8A’s airworthiness team as they work to ensure this aircraft will and expand its flight envelope. The program’s other two flight test airmeet our warfighters’ requirements.” T1 began formal Navy flight testing at the craft, T2 and T3, will transfer to Pax River later Boeing facility in October 2009. The Integrated this year. These aircraft will focus on extensive Test Team (ITT) spent the past six months ex- mission systems and weapons system testing, ecuting ground and flight tests while maximiz- ensuring the P-8A’s ability to carry out the antiing the expertise of Boeing P-8A engineers and submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technicians. Moran said that the program continues to operations. The Poseidon will replace the P-3C Orion meet all performance criteria and is on track for as the Navy’s premier maritime patrol and reinitial operational capability in 2013. “The ITT, along with all Boeing’s Seattle connaissance aircraft. Its advanced mission sysproduction and maintenance team has worked tems, software and communications technology very hard to get the aircraft to Pax River to will allow the Fleet to carry out the same miscomplete the planned test program,” said Rein- sions as the Orion, but with greater situational ing. “The ITT is grateful for the strong support awareness that will enhance mission success.
Pax Pros Bid Farewell to Ed Greer
Almost 300 people recently took time out to say farewell to Ed Greer, the Executive Director for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Deputy Assistant Commander for Test Ed Greer and Evaluation (T&E). Greer accepted a new position at the Pentagon and, is now the director for Development, Test and Evaluation for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Greer resigned his career civil service position to accept this political appointee position. State and local elected officials, admirals, senior executive service members and members of the community attended the farewell dinner to honor the man with whom they had worked with for more than 30 years in various roles here at NAWCAD. “He is the genuine article,” said NAWCAD Commander Rear Adm. Donald Gaddis in his remarks during the presentations. “You made NAWCAD home.” Maryland State Delegate John Bohanon
commended Greer for his work in supporting the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) initiatives with students and schools in the area. Additionally, he lauded him for the programs like initiatives to work with Veterans and people with targeted disabilities that Greer promoted. NAVAIR Commander Vice Admiral David Venlet bid farewell to Greer, and recalled a fishing trip the two had made together. As Venlet compared Greer’s love for fly fishing to his approach to his work, he said, “He’s a real worker. There’s a lot of work in casting — action is involved. A lot of thinking. You have to read the river.” Then, Venlet recalled line for the movie “Hunt for Red October” as he described Greer’s ability to prioritize. “When it comes to filling a bucket, you have to put the big rocks in there first.” When Greer took the microphone, his pride in the people and their abilities was obvious as he talked about the importance of the work they perform. “The professionals at Patuxent River, the military, civilian and contractor team, are exceptional. I owe a lot to the United States Navy. I will be forever grateful for having had the opportunity to work in this world class organization, with you remarkable people,” he said.
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