PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — Cmdr. Travis Hartman assumed command of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) from Lt. Col. Aaron Kia during an airborne change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River on June 27.
The ceremony was presided over by former USNTPS Commander Capt. Glenn Rioux, Military Director for Engineering at the Naval Air Systems Command. Capt. Rioux highlighted the qualities demonstrated during Kia's tenure. "We all know the documented attributes of your command, but those undocumented attributes stand out: courage, empowerment, resilience, and effective communication," Rioux said. Addressing Cmdr. Hartman, Rioux added, "Get ready for an amazing and humbling experience."
A C-12 Huron piloted by outgoing U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Commander Lt. Col. Aaron Kia leads an F/A-18 Super Hornet piloted by incoming Commander Cmdr. Travis Hartman above school hangars during an airborne change of command ceremony. As Hartman took command, the F/A-18 Super Hornet he took the lead ahead of Kia's C-12 before landing signifying the change in leadership.
The change of command took place in-flight with Hartman piloting an F/A-18 Super Hornet and Kia in a C-12 Huron, marking a unique and symbolic transition. Hartman, the 52nd headmaster of the school, steps into his new role after serving as the USNTPS executive officer for the past 18 months.
Expressing his commitment to his new role, Hartman said, "I am honored to be counted [as part of the test community] and commit to 'embracing the orange' to earn my place in this much-respected company."
Hartman hails from Missouri and is a 2005 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated from USNTPS in 2014 with Class 145 and began his flight test career with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23. In 2015, he earned a master's degree in engineering science from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. Hartman has served as a department head with Strike Fighter Squadron 146 and deployed onboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) before returning to VX-23. In 2021, he joined the Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft Programs as deputy program manager for the Next Generation Air Dominance program (PMA-230). He became the executive officer of USNTPS in 2022.
"Command is truly the opportunity of a lifetime," said Kia. "It has been an honor to serve with [Hartman] and I'm excited to see you lead USNTPS into the future."
Kia, originally from Hawaii, is an Army acquisition officer and the third Army commander in USNTPS history. He commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps' Aviation Branch in 2004, holding a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California. He graduated from USNTPS in 2014 with Class 145 and earned a master's degree in engineering systems from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 2016. Before his assignment to USNTPS, Kia was part of the Advanced Aviation Assessment program, developing weapon systems for U.S. Special Operations Command. Kia will next serve at the Program Executive Office for Aviation at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.
USNTPS, part of Naval Test Wing Atlantic under the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, trains developmental test pilots, flight officers, engineers, and industry and foreign partners in the full-spectrum test and evaluation of aircraft and aircraft systems. The school leads the development of modern test techniques and standardizes flight test procedures. It remains the only domestic source of rotary wing test pilots, serving as the dedicated test pilot school for the U.S. Army.
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