Marine Col. Leigh Irwin assumed command of the Multi-Mission Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems program office (PMA-266) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River on September 18, 2025, relieving Navy Capt. Dennis Monagle during a change of command and retirement ceremony. The event took place inside Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 24’s hangar, with the Marine Corps’ MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft system in the background. Rear Adm. Todd Evans, commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), served as guest speaker and praised Monagle’s three decades of service.
Monagle, retiring after leading PMA-266, guided the office through key advancements in unmanned aviation for the Navy and Marine Corps. Under his direction, the team integrated the MQ-9A Reaper into Marine operations, achieving the platform’s first operational deployment. This milestone enhances intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting in contested areas, supporting Marine Expeditionary Force missions. The Reaper, a Group 5 unmanned aerial system, provides long-endurance flights exceeding 30 hours, equipped with electro-optical infrared sensors and synthetic aperture radar for overland and overseas tasks.
The MQ-8C Fire Scout program also advanced under Monagle, with successful deployments aboard Littoral Combat Ships and integration of maritime sensors. The Fire Scout, an autonomous rotary-wing system based on the Bell 407 airframe, extends shipboard reach for reconnaissance and targeting up to 150 nautical miles, with endurance up to 12 hours. Its Leonardo AN/ZPY-8 Osprey radar supports surface warfare and mine countermeasures, bolstering Littoral Combat Ship capabilities in near-shore environments.
Evans highlighted Monagle’s focus on fleet needs. “Those of us who’ve had the privilege of serving with Capt. Monagle know that his leadership isn’t just about getting the job done — it’s about doing it the right way, with the fleet always at the forefront of his mind,” Evans said. “His leadership has strengthened our Navy and set the bar for what it means to lead with purpose, integrity, and heart.” Monagle emphasized team alignment with operational demands. “I have never been part of a program that has been so closely aligned with the fleet,” he said, crediting efforts from phasing out the MQ-8 Fire Scout to rapid Reaper fielding. He concluded by underscoring personnel. “I have seen the world and met the world’s greatest people on this journey… even with all this highly technical work we do, it’s all about the people.”
Irwin, from Oneonta, New York, brings extensive experience in Marine aviation and acquisition. Commissioned in December 2003 and designated a naval aviator in June 2006, she logged over 2,000 flight hours as a UH-1N/Y pilot across combat and expeditionary deployments. Her rotary-wing background informs her grasp of operational challenges in dynamic settings. In acquisition, Irwin served as military deputy program manager for the USMC Light/Attack Helicopter program office (PMA-276) in 2019. Most recently, she directed the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Unmanned Expeditionary Medium-Altitude, High-Endurance aircraft program at PMA-266, gaining direct insight into its objectives.
Evans charged Irwin with sustaining team development and innovation. “Col. Irwin, as you assume command today, I charge you with the following: continue to promote the growth and well-being of your team, lead with purpose, embrace curiosity and innovation, and never lose sight of the warfighter,” he said. Irwin outlined her priorities. “PMA-266, we were designed to address many capability gaps in the world today,” she said. “Just as important as the capability we deliver, is the speed we deliver it … I can’t wait to be your program manager and lead you into the future.”
PMA-266 manages the MUX MALE program and emerging Group 4 and 5 vertical lift platforms, advancing unmanned systems for naval forces. Based at Patuxent River in St. Mary’s County, the office falls under NAVAIR, which oversees full life-cycle support for naval aviation. Established in 1966 as successor to the Bureau of Naval Weapons, NAVAIR coordinates prototyping, procurement and sustainment, with Patuxent River as its headquarters since the station’s 1943 commissioning.
Patuxent River, spanning 6,400 acres along the Chesapeake Bay, hosts NAVAIR’s core functions, including test and evaluation through NAWCAD. The base features five runways, up to 11,800 feet long, and restricted airspace covering 4,000 square miles, essential for unmanned flight trials. As Southern Maryland’s largest employer, it supports 9,800 civilians, 5,700 contractors and 2,400 active-duty personnel, driving local economic growth through aviation innovation.
Unmanned systems like the Reaper and Fire Scout align with Marine Corps Force Design 2030, emphasizing stand-in forces and distributed operations in the Indo-Pacific. PMA-266’s use of Air Force contracts, such as the Agile Reaper Enterprise Solution, accelerated Reaper deliveries, with the final Block 5 Extended Range unit arriving in June 2025 after a three-year effort. This procured 18 systems plus spares, enabling rapid integration for units like Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 at Yuma.
Fire Scout expansions include manned-unmanned teaming and sensor sharing across fleets, reducing risks to manned aircraft. Deployments on Independence- and Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships, like USS Milwaukee in 2021, validated over-the-horizon targeting with Osprey radar for weather, air-to-air and ground-moving detection. Future integrations target Constellation-class frigates, enhancing maritime domain awareness.
Irwin’s leadership builds on these foundations, leveraging her test pilot and program roles. As the first female Marine helicopter pilot at NAWC Weapons Division in China Lake, she tested systems like the UH-1Y, promoting STEM outreach for girls in aviation. Her transition to PMA-266 ensures continuity in addressing gaps like extended-range ISR for expeditionary bases.
Southern Maryland benefits from these programs through job creation and community ties. NAVAIR partners with local firms for prototyping, while the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum hosts events showcasing unmanned tech. The base’s growth supports tri-county education via scholarships from the Marine Corps Aviation Association John Glenn Squadron, funding STEM pursuits for high school seniors.
PMA-266’s work positions Patuxent River as a hub for unmanned aviation, fostering innovations that equip warfighters with persistent surveillance. As Irwin steers the office forward, focus remains on agile acquisition to meet evolving threats, sustaining NAVAIR’s role in naval readiness.
