Defense & Military
Program for Air Anti-Sub Warfare Systems welcomes new Commanding Officer
By NAVAIR News
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD - July 5, 2019 The Air Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems Program (PMA-264) welcomed its newest commanding officer during a ceremony on the Second of July in Patuxent River, Md.
Maj. Gen. Gregory L. Masiello, Program Executive Officer for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault & Special Mission Programs, served as guest speaker commending retiring Capt. Douglas Belvin for his leadership, and welcoming Capt. Daniel Papp to the team.
"The Air ASW Systems Program provides increasingly relevant capabilities, and is an essential part of the fleet mission," said Masiello. "Capt. Belvin has done a tremendous job guiding the program. I am confident Capt. Papp will hit the ground running."
Belvin reported as program manager for PMA-264 in August 2016 and retired during the dual ceremony after nearly 26 years serving the Navy. In his remarks, he encouraged the members of the program team to remember the important role they play in national defense and own the future of the program.
"We have industry contributors, research partners, and peers in the surface and submarine Navies," said Belvin. "But when it comes to producing, developing, and delivering the Air ASW hardware and software the fleet is using today and will need tomorrow, you're the ones with the detailed knowledge and expertise to deliver those capabilities."
Papp, a Chicago native, graduated with honors from Northern Illinois University. Following two years of enlisted Naval service, he received his commission through the Officer Candidate School and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in February 1998. Operationally, he served as the executive officer then commanding officer of Patrol Squadron (VP) 16, where his "War Eagles" successfully completed the first P-8A Poseidon deployment and received the 2014 Captain Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for ASW Excellence.
"It is an honor to join this team of dedicated and knowledgeable professionals. The products you deliver to our warfighters provide a decisive edge in countering the emerging submarine threat," said Papp. "Thank you for making the difficult look easy."
Papp most recently served as a team lead for the Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program (PMA-262), where he led the MQ-4C Triton team through Milestone C, Low-Rate Initial Production, first fleet aircraft delivery, Triton Multi-Intelligence Critical Design Review and preparations for the program's early operational capability.
PMA-264 plays a critical role in developing, acquiring and sustaining airborne anti-submarine warfare systems and sensors for the fleet, the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft program, and the Multi-Mission Maritime Helicopters program.