ORTFOLIO ACQUISITION EXECUTIVE AVIATION, Patuxent River, Md. – Colonel Steven Puckett was relieved by Colonel Doug Lee as program manager for Tactical Airlift Program Office (PMA-207) in a traditional Change of Command ceremony on May 28.
The Change of Command custom is rich in Naval tradition symbolizing passing the responsibility of command from one officer to another reflects the dedication of free men and women serving their nation proudly.
PMA-207 provides the Navy, Marine Corps and foreign military partners with full life cycle support of nine different aircraft models: the C-12 Huron, C-26 Metroliner, UC-35 Citation, C-20 Gulfstream G-IV, C-9 Skytrain, C-37 Gulfstream G-550, C-38 Courier, C-40 Clipper, C/KC-130 Hercules.
These aircraft operate continuously at over 32 sites worldwide and support a variety of missions including: aircraft test and evaluation, personnel and cargo airlift; aerial refueling, air delivered ground refueling, aerial delivery, medical evacuation and patient transport, search and rescue, and pilot training.
Major General David Walsh, Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive (Aviation), Marine Corps Aviation, was the presiding official and speaker recognizing two steadfast Marines and the high-pressure program office whose aircraft are in constant use around the globe.
“The tactical airlift platforms of PMA-207 form the cornerstone of our Marine Corps’ mobility and are the key to distributed aviation operations; a key tenant of Marine Corps contribution,” said MajGen Walsh. “This high visibility, high demand portfolio and its nine platforms are in high demand across the Combatant Commands.”
The tactical airlift platforms provide value every day to the Joint Force warfighters with enhanced capabilities and sustainment support that will ensure future mission success which comes with effective program guidance.
“This is a high-pressure program; a lot goes on. In this role, leadership matters and Col Puckett applied his experience, his guidance, his passion to steer the team through the challenges and focus on what matters most – the warfighter. He brings a passion stoked by an entire adult lifetime – 38 years – and career as a Marine: starting as a maintainer to operational C-130 pilot with multiple combat deployments, then a test pilot, and ending with 16 years in acquisition the last four as PMA-207’s program manager,” said MajGen Walsh. “You have had an amazing career of service to our nation, and it has been an honor to serve alongside you.”
Col Puckett assumed command of PMA-207 in April 2022. During his time at the Tactical Airlift Program Office, he demonstrated superior leadership and acquisition expertise of a $3.5 billion portfolio of transport, aerial refueling, and special mission aircraft. His role as manager of multiple Acquisition Category I and II programs consistently proved cost, schedule, and performance objectives were achieved while never forgetting the warfighter and their needs. Col Puckett also implemented innovative solutions that improved readiness and established best practices across the Naval Aviation Enterprise. He also delivered 15 production KC-130J aircraft, established a Navy depot in Kinston, NC, delivered two C-40A and specialized NC-20G aircraft, and delivered KC-130J Block 8.1 retrofit aircraft, among many more noteworthy accomplishments.
Additionally, under Col Puckett’s leadership, the program advanced operational support aircraft modernization, rapidly fielded next-generation communications, and strengthened foreign military sales partnerships, enhancing interoperability with allied nations.
After 38 years with the United States Marine Corps, Col Puckett hands over a ready and prepared PMA-207 to the incoming leader, Col Lee.
Col Lee was commissioned in 2003 while attending Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Once graduation from The Basic School in 2004, he was designated a naval aviator in 2006.
In 2011, Col Lee joined Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation in Patuxent River, MD as part of the H-53 Heavy Lift Program Office (PMA-261). From this role, he was selected for Test Pilot School, Class 144, and joined the CH-53K Integrated Test Team Detachment in West Palm Best, FL. After various assignments overseas, Col Lee returned to Patuxent River in support of PMA-261 and the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275) before assuming command of PMA-207.
“I am excited to execute PMA-207’s mission under the Program Acquisition Executive framework,” said Col Lee. “Taking command during such a transformational period is truly an honor.
To Col Lee, MajGen Walsh added, “Your challenge is to build upon the momentum the team has established. Never in our lifetime has there been more urgency behind the work we do so keep these platforms on track and in the fight and maintain balance between readiness and transformative modernization.”
“I have no doubt that you’re up to that challenge with your experience to manage and more importantly the skills and qualities to lead this amazing team,” said MajGen Walsh. “By focusing on these priorities, we will build upon the long legacy of PMA-207 delivering for our warfighters.”
As Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation has shared, our priorities remain: People. Capability, Readiness, and Running the Business. PMA-207 embodies these and the “Warfighter First, Always!” mentality.
PMA-207 is responsible for research, development, acquisition and sustainment of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps tactical airlift aircraft.