PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — Colonel Robert Hurst officially took command of the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275) on October 10, succeeding Colonel Brian Taylor in a formal change of command ceremony held at Naval Air Station Patuxent River’s HX-21 hangar. The ceremony was presided over by Brigadier General David Walsh, Program Executive Officer for Air, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission Programs.
During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Walsh praised the contributions of both the outgoing and incoming commanders, highlighting Taylor’s leadership in steering the program toward improved efficiency and operational readiness. “Col. Taylor’s guidance and his passion to steer the program in the right direction, focused on the warfighter, has reduced the maintenance man hours that our Marines need to spend, reduced the cost of flying those aircraft, and increased availability over the last couple of years,” said Walsh. “Those are incredible achievements in a platform that’s been around for a couple of decades.”
Significant milestones in the V-22 program marked Col. Taylor’s tenure from April 2020 to October 2024. He was recognized for his efforts to optimize the MV-22 fleet, resulting in savings of 80,000 maintenance man hours annually and reducing material costs by $130 million. His leadership in proposing the shift from the common configuration readiness and modernization program to a scaled-down common configuration capability relevant program led to an impressive $1.8 billion in savings. Taylor’s strategic decisions yielded a 15% reduction in maintenance man hours, a 10% decrease in cost per flight hour, and a 35% increase in mission capable rates.
For his outstanding performance and contributions, Col. Taylor was awarded the Legion of Merit during the ceremony. His commitment to optimizing operations within the V-22 Joint Program Office has left a lasting legacy that upholds the highest standards of the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy.
Hurst, who previously served as the Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN RDA), now takes the reins of a program office that continues to play a critical role in supporting the V-22 community. The office manages the entire lifecycle of the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft, from procurement and development to fielding, support, and eventual disposal.
“I have no doubt that you are up to the challenge: providing capability for our Marines, Airmen, and Sailors,” Walsh said of Hurst. “The leadership qualities you have, focused on our warfighters and on your people, will make you successful in delivering on the legacy of PMA-275.”
The V-22 Joint Program Office, PMA-275, is responsible for overseeing the tiltrotor aircraft systems that provide medium-lift assault support for the U.S. Marine Corps, long-range infiltration and resupply missions for U.S. Air Force Special Operations Forces, and long-range/medium-lift logistics capabilities for the U.S. Navy. These versatile aircraft play a crucial role in fulfilling the Joint Force Maritime Component Commander’s time-critical logistics needs by transporting personnel, mail, and priority cargo from advanced bases to seabased operations.
Hurst now leads the program office during a pivotal time as it continues to evolve and enhance the capabilities of the V-22 platform. The program’s mission remains focused on providing world-class support to the Marines, Airmen, and Sailors who rely on these aircraft for a wide range of operational needs, from combat missions to critical logistical support.
As the new commanding officer, Hurst will continue the work of ensuring that the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft, a platform that has been operational for decades, remains at the forefront of aviation technology and mission readiness. His leadership is expected to guide PMA-275 through the next phase of its development, maintaining its reputation for delivering critical capabilities to the U.S. military.
The change of command ceremony marked the transition from one accomplished leader to another, with both Hurst and Taylor recognized for their dedication to ensuring the success of the V-22 Joint Program Office and its support of U.S. military operations across the globe.
