Swampscott native Navy Cmdr. James Morrison took command as the commanding officer of the VT-28 Rangers, a naval air training squad based in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Morrison assumed command from Cmdr. James McNamee during an airborne change of command ceremony on April 23. The leadership change and symbolic formation flight signify transition of leadership and serves as a demonstration of aerial maneuvers for those in attendance.
“I am honored and excited to lead the Rangers of VT-28,” said Morrison. “We will double down on the mentorship of our students to build the foundation of their naval aviation careers. We are guided by the words: humility, approachability, and credibility. I feel lucky to work with an incredible group of professionals. Mount Up!”
Morrison graduated in 2007 from the University of Maryland. He completed the NROTC program with McNamee and earned his Wings of Gold in 2009. Morrison’s aviation career has accounted for over 2,900 mishap-free flight hours.
Morrison completed his initial training in Pensacola, Florida before reporting for primary flight training at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, where he now serves as commanding officer. He deployed to the Middle East during the Iraq War and was stationed at Camp Buehring in Kuwait.. He earned a Navy Air Medal for meritorious achievement after completing two combat medevac missions and 17 combat support missions.
More recently, Morrison earned a masters of science in systems engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a master of arts in defense and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
VT-28 is one of two primary training squadrons within TW-4 in Corpus Christi. The squadron’s mission is to instill foundational aviation skills in student naval aviators, who are prepared to excel in follow-on training and operational service in the fleet.
The chief of Naval Air Training oversees the Naval Air Training Command headquarters at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, which comprises five training air wings and 17 training squadrons located in Florida, Mississippi and Texas. The command is responsible for safely conducting primary, intermediate and advanced flight training for U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and allied international student naval aviators and flight officers.
Capt. Christopher Penn, the commodore of Training Air Wing 4, presided over the ceremony and presented McNamee with the Meritorious Service Medal for his performance and leadership as commanding officer. McNamee, who earned his Wings of Gold in 2008, has served as the commanding officer of the VT-28 since December 2024. He oversaw the successful execution of 17,800 flight hours, 14,418 sorties as well as graduated 285 student naval aviators.
“Holding the title of ‘Skipper’ has been the greatest honor of my Naval career,” said McNamee. “To the instructor pilots: You are the heart of this squadron. Take care of one another and continue to hold the standard. Mentor your onwings and help shape the fleet with the best professional aviators in the world.”
