Capt. Jarrod Hair assumed command of the Air Combat Electronics program office (PMA-209) in June 2023.
Prior to assuming command of PMA-209, Hair was the chief of staff to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air and Ground Programs.
He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2002, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He earned his wings of gold as a naval aviator in 2003, and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS). He holds a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
His first operational tour was flying the SH-60B Seahawk with the Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42 “Proud Warriors” with deployments onboard USS Vicksburg (CG69) and USS Gettysburg (CG64).
He reported to the Air Force Institute of Technology in 2008, with follow-on orders to USNTPS where he studied to become a naval test pilot in the rotary wing curriculum of Class 137 and earned his Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering. Following graduation from USNTPS he served as a MH-60R and MH-60S test pilot and project officer until December 2012.
Upon completion of his test tour he reported to the Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) 70 “Spartans” for his department head tour. He deployed aboard the USS Truxtun (DDG-103) as the detachment officer-in-charge for a 9 month deployment as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWB CSG).
Following his department head tour he reported to the H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopters Program Office (PMA-299) where he served as the software integration program lead from 2015 to 2019. He then supported the Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-262) as the MQ-4C Triton class desk until December, 2019. From December 2019 to September 2021, he was the deputy program manager for Ship Air Traffic Management at the Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office (PMA-213).
Hair has more than 2,400 flight hours in more than 20 aircraft types. His personal decorations include an Air Medal (strike/flight award), Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), and a Navy Achievement Medal.