Cmdr. Wright Welcomed as New Commanding Officer of Scientific Development Squadron ONE

Cmdr. Stacey K. Wright, former Executive Officer of Scientific Development Squadron ONE (VXS-1), transitioned to Commanding Officer of the unique squadron, nicknamed 'Warlocks,' during a change of command ceremony, May, 3, 2012, at the U.S. Naval Air Station Patuxent River (PAX) located in southern Maryland.

Cmdr. Wright is welcomed onboard as the new Commanding Officer of VXS-1 during a change of command ceremony, May 3, 2012, at the U.S. Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
(U.S. Naval Research Laboratory - Jamie Hartman)

Cmdr. Wright, successor to former Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jay M. Steingold, now commands the elite military squadron responsible for supporting a wide range of scientific research projects that contribute to naval research.

Born in Rome, Italy, to Sergeant Major Joe Wright and Ms. Doris Wright, both of Birmingham, Ala., Wright enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as a medical service specialist for four years. Following his honorable discharge, he attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., where he received a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism in 1993.

In October 1993 he reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola for Aviation Officers Candidates School where he earned his commission in March 1994. On June 9, 1995, he pinned on the Naval Flight Officer's "Wings of Gold" after completion of joint training through 562nd Flight Training Squadron located at Randolph Air Force Base (AFB), Texas.

His first operational tour was with Patrol Squadron TWO SIX onboard NAS Brunswick, Maine. During his tour with the "Tridents" he completed deployments to NAS Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; Howard AFB, Panama; and Sigonella, Sicily. His ground assignments during this tour included Command Public Affairs Officer, Aviation Electronics (AE) Branch Officer, First Lieutenant, Special Projects Officer and Naval Flight Officer/Naval Aviation Training and Operating Procedure & Standard (NFO NATOPS).

In April 1999, Wright reported to Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV N1) in Washington, D.C. where he served as the Navy's Personnel Exchange Program (PEP) coordinator until November 2001. Following this tour, Wright reported to USS George Washington (CVN 73) where he served as an Aircraft Launch & Recovery Officer better known as a "SHOOTER" and held the roles of waist catapults and arresting gear branch officer and hangar deck division officer. During his tour on CVN 73 he completed a deployment to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf while conducting combat operations in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, NORTHERN WATCH, and SOUTHERN WATCH.

In January 2004, he reported to Patrol Squadron THIRTY at NAS Jacksonville, Fla., where he served as an Fleet Readiness Squadron (FRS) Instructor NFO in a pre-department head role. His ground duties included Administration Department Head and Training Director. Thereafter, Wright reported to the "War Eagles" of Patrol Squadron SIXTEEN, also located at NAS Jacksonville, in November 2005. On this tour he served as a department head for Tactics, Training, and Operations and deployed to both the Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and European Command (EUCOM) Areas of Responsibility (AORs).

In November 2007, Wright reported to the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., where he earned a master's degree in national security and strategic studies. Upon graduation, he received orders to Headquarters, Special Operations Command (SOCOM) at MacDill AFB, Fla. While assigned to SOCOM he served on the command's Analytic Agenda team in the J-8 Strategic Studies Directorate.

Wright's personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (4), Air Force Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various other service and joint awards.

Foreground: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Chief Staff Officer and Inspector General, Capt. Tim Brewer (l), welcomes Cmdr. Wright as the new Commanding Officer of Scientific Development Squadron ONE (VXS-1). Background: Cmdr. Steingold (l) and Chief of Naval Research and Director, Innovation, Technology Requirements, and Test & Evaluation, Rear Adm. Matthew L. Klunder. (U.S. Naval Research Laboratory - Jamie Hartman)

Departing Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Steingold, provides comment during the VXS-1 Change of Command Ceremony, May 3, 2012, Naval Air Station Patuxent River (PAX). Seated (l-r): VXS-1 Command Senior Chief, Richard Klein; VXS-1 Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Stacey Wright; U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Chief Staff Officer and Inspector General, Capt. Tim Brewer; and Chief of Naval Research/Director, Innovation, Technology Requirements, and Test & Evaluation, Rear Adm. Matthew L. Klunder. (U.S. Naval Research Laboratory - Jamie Hartman)

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