NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – Calling the opportunity to lead the Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) Systems & EA-6B Program Office (PMA-234) a “tremendous honor and humbling experience,” Capt. Michael “Bobby” Orr assumed command here June 28 in a ceremony characterized by humor, emotion, and tradition.
Orr, a native of Covina, California, began with a nod to his outgoing predecessor and friend, Capt. John “Bails” Bailey; recognition of the “phenomenal mentors” who provided guidance, training, opportunities, education, and insight; appreciation for fellow acquisition workforce professionals who shared their experiences, advice and encouragement; and acknowledgment of guests who’ve played important roles during his career. He further identified the important part his family has played supporting him “no matter what adventure I chose.”
Orr closed with a message to the PMA-234 team, those with whom he’ll share the next four years. “Our future operational success depends on achieving superiority of the electromagnetic spectrum; that is the heart of electronic warfare,” Orr said. “And PMA-234 exists to ensure that our EW community is provided with the requisite capabilities to achieve this success.”
‘That’s the Spirit’
The 1995 U.S. Naval Academy graduate has prepared for this opportunity since the early days of his career. Selected to fly the EA-6B Prowler out of flight school, Orr has spent his entire operational career supporting the Electronic Warfare (EW) mission.
Outside of his multiple EA-6B squadrons tours, in 2004, he became the first naval aviator fully qualified to fly the U.S. Air Force’s B-2A Spirit, serving as a B-2A Survivability lead and wing electronic combat officer while assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.
In the atrium of the building where Orr said he first met Bailey when the two were integrated product team leads in the F/A-18 & EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265), the acquisition professionals completed the change-of-command ceremony, a time-honored tradition that signifies the transfer of authority, responsibility and accountability from one individual to another.
The ceremony guest speaker, Frank Kendall, former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (AT&L) was Bailey’s milestone decision authority (MDA) for the last four years, “Bails” noted when introducing him.
“I was struck by his professionalism, knowledge, and grasp of the details” Kendall recalled of their first meeting. “I am delighted to see ‘Bails’ going up to AT&L.”
Capitalizing on the opportunity to once again speak to the acquisition workforce, Kendall highlighted that a critical key to Defense Department success is the “professionalism of (the) workforce. You are very, very dedicated professionals. Thank you all for the great work you do,” he said in closing.
The long and winding road
With characteristic unconventionality, Capt. John Bailey played a snippet of The Beatles’ “The Long and Winding Road” and discussed his son’s afternoon driver’s training appointment as he began his comments.
His departure will not take him too far up the street. He is heading to the Pentagon as the senior military leaders for the USD (AT&L), leaving a significant legacy. In his rearview mirror, he’ll look back on accomplishments that include sundowning the Navy’s EA-6B fleet, development of an organic AEA capability for the Marine Corps’ UH-1Y Venom helicopters, and the launch of the Next Generation Jammer’s first Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase.
PMA-234 is responsible for acquiring, delivering and sustaining AEA Systems and Prowler aircraft, providing combatant commanders with capabilities that enable mission success.