A brand new program supervisor stepped into command for the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Plane Programs program workplace (PMA-263) throughout a change of command ceremony Sept. 21 at Naval Air Warfare Middle Webster Outlying Subject, St. Inigoes, Maryland.
Throughout the ceremony overlooking the St. Mary’s River at Unmanned Check and Analysis Squadron (UX) 24, Gregg Skinner took over command from Col. Victor Argobright, who will retire after 29 years of army service.
“As we speak we have a good time not solely a command tour, but in addition a profession of service,” mentioned Rear Adm. Stephen Tedford, who oversees the Program Govt Workplace for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons. “Understanding the challenges offered by right now’s world occasions, PMA-263 has enhanced the warfighters benefit by means of innovation, creativeness, and experimentation with an unyielding drive and dedication to supply our forces with the perfect of capabilities.”
Throughout Argobright’s tenure, he expedited the operational and developmental take a look at of the Tactical Resupply Unmanned Plane System (TRUAS) and oversaw the primary manufacturing contract awarded to get a a lot anticipated logistics resupply functionality into the palms of fight logistics battalions within the area.
He spearheaded the opening of two new Household of Small UAS (FoSUAS) coaching services for the Navy stationed on each the east and west coasts. These are the primary two devoted Navy services for coaching naval UAS operators and serves the Naval Particular Warfare, Navy Expeditionary Warfare and Explosive Ordnance Disposal communities.
Argobright’s staff additionally managed the divestment of the RQ-21A Blackjack. They not solely exceeded their scheduled targets by totally divesting of all RQ-21A Marine Corps property final 12 months, but in addition maintained readiness charges above 90 % mission succesful all through the method.
“This has been an extremely rewarding tour for me,” Argobright mentioned. “I owe an incredible deal thanks for the exhausting work and dedication of the whole PMA-263 staff. You accepted each problem and all the time put the wants of warfighter first. It has been an honor to work with women and men who carry out at a constantly excessive degree. PMA-263 is a program workplace that works as a staff and I’m extraordinarily pleased with what you’ve got completed.”
Gregg Skinner, a Lengthy Island, New York native, graduated from Dowling Faculty of Oakdale, New York with a bachelor’s diploma aeronautics and administration. He spent 22 years with the U.S. Marine Corps flying the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter and V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor plane and retired as a lieutenant colonel. After army service, he spent a number of years with Bell Helicopter.
Since returning to authorities service, Skinner took a place with Commander Fleet Readiness Facilities the place he was an integral a part of main NAVAIR’s Naval Sustainment Technique-Aviation, International Sustainment Imaginative and prescient shaping ideas and readiness initiatives. He went on to function the assistant Program Govt Officer for Sustainment with Program Govt Workplace Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault, and Particular Mission (PEO(A)) earlier than persevering with to his most up-to-date position as Product Assist Administration, Aviation for the Workplace of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Sustainment.
In his new position, Skinner will handle a fancy portfolio of greater than 16 completely different unmanned programs fielded globally and can lead coaching operations for all service branches.
“To our particular operators, Sailors and Marines. I promise to honor your dedication for battlefield success with depth and propensity for motion that can assist hold you and our nice nation secure.” Skinner mentioned.
