Photo By Walter Estrada | U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Gregory Masiello, F-35 Lightning II JPO program executive...... read more read more
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The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) marked the formal transition of leadership from U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt to U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Gregory L. Masiello during a ceremony in Arlington, July 17, 2025.
The Honorable Michael Duffy, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)), presided and praised Schmidt for his success while serving as the program executive officer (PEO).
“Under [Lt.] Gen. Schmidt’s leadership, the F-35 has solidified its position as the free world’s backbone of air superiority and as a key guarantor of peace through strength,” said Duffy. “For his accomplishments and a lifetime of service and leadership, [Lt.] Gen. Schmidt has my deepest appreciation, respect, and best wishes.”
During his tenure Schmidt, who became the F-35 JPO PEO in 2022, led more than 3,500 service members, civilians, and contractors to deliver more than 350 F-35 Lightning II aircraft; oversaw the addition of four new foreign military sales (FMS) customers; shepherded the F-35 enterprise during its training of more than 1,000 pilots and 6,000 maintainers; and led the program to reach the historic milestone of one million flight hours.
“My time as the F-35 JPO’s program executive officer would not have been successful without the dedicated employees and service members who truly are the driving force behind the program,” said Schmidt. “While there are always going to be areas for improvement and growth, they are the reason the F-35 remains, and will continue to be, the most lethal and effective platform the U.S. and its partners depend on.”
Schmidt is retiring after more than 34 years of service in the U.S. Air Force.
While the ceremony marked the end of Schmidt’s tenure, it also signaled the beginning of Masiello’s leadership of the program.
“I’m honored to be taking command of the F-35 Joint Program Office and grateful to Lt. Gen. Schmidt for all he has done for this incredible program,” said Masiello. “I look forward to serving with this dedicated and winning team, and I know we are ready to continue to support the U.S. and our allies with this world-class platform.”
Masiello, a 1987 U.S. Naval Academy graduate and Naval aviator, most recently served as the director of the Defense Contract Management Agency. His previous positions include the F-35 JPO Follow-on Development director, the program executive officer for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault & Special Mission Programs, the senior military assistant to Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and the V-22 Joint Program Office’s joint program manager.
The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) oversees the development, delivery, and sustainment of the world’s most lethal fifth-generation weapons system. The F-35 Lightning II provides the U.S. and its allies with unmatched battlespace awareness and capabilities through its advanced sensor suite, stealth characteristics, weapons capacity, and range.
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 07.17.2025 20:05 |
| Story ID: | 543066 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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