The U.S. Navy dedicated a new advanced test hangar at Naval Air Station Patuxent River to Lt. Cmdr. Raymond O’Hare on April 10, 2026, honoring the fallen test pilot who died in a 2000 training accident.
The ceremony took place during the annual U.S. Naval Test Pilot School alumni weekend at the Southern Maryland air station. The facility will serve as the primary hub for future testing of the MQ-25A Stingray, the Navy’s first carrier-based unmanned aircraft designed for aerial refueling.
Lt. Cmdr. Raymond O’Hare, a member of USNTPS Class 118, was killed along with classmate Lt. Cmdr. Gareth Rietz on July 11, 2000, when their T-38A Talon crashed on approach to the air station. O’Hare was 33 years old at the time. A 1989 Harvard University graduate and former F-14 Radar Intercept Officer, he is survived by his wife and three children, who attended the dedication.
Rear Adm. Shawn Denihan, Naval Air Systems Command Reserve Deputy Commander and a classmate of O’Hare, presided over the event. Denihan said, “Dedicating this hangar is a rare honor, reserved for those like my classmate and friend, Ray O’Hare, whose character exceeded the highest standards in the Navy. It is with tremendous pride for his family that this hangar – a gateway to naval aviation’s future – makes Ray’s legacy part of every mission.”
Capt. Daniel Fucito, Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager, also spoke. He stated, “Every flight where MQ-25 takes to the skies is a testament to the enduring spirit of naval aviation and the memory of those like Ray who paved the way. This hangar is a reminder of the courage and commitment that defines our test community.”
The dedication included the unveiling of a permanent memorial in the hangar’s foyer. O’Hare’s family received a proclamation from St. Mary’s County Commissioners during the ceremony.
Naval Air Station Patuxent River, known as “Pax River,” serves as the Navy’s primary flight test center and employs thousands in Southern Maryland. The base supports research, development, and testing for naval aviation platforms, including unmanned systems. The MQ-25 Stingray program aims to extend the range and endurance of carrier air wings by providing dedicated aerial refueling capability.
USNTPS alumni are also working to dedicate a future E-6 replacement program hangar to Lt. Cmdr. Gareth Rietz.
The event brought together O’Hare’s family, distinguished visitors, and members of the aviation community. The hangar dedication marks the first such honor at Pax River in nearly 30 years for a test pilot alumnus.
This recognition ties directly to Southern Maryland’s central role in naval aviation. St. Mary’s County, home to NAS Patuxent River, benefits economically from the base, which supports tens of thousands of jobs and contributes significantly to the regional economy through testing programs and contractor work. The MQ-25 hangar will support ongoing integration and testing activities that keep Southern Maryland at the forefront of unmanned carrier aviation development.
O’Hare’s legacy will now be part of daily operations in the new facility as the Navy advances its unmanned aviation capabilities.
