Courtesy Photo | Katie Wheeler, right, Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office...... read more read more
PORTFOLIO ACQUISITION EXECUTIVE (AVIATION), Patuxent River, Md. —Significant contributions to delivering advanced electronic attack capabilities to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) earned two members of the Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Aviation – Carrier Strike team formal recognition by the Australian Defence Force.
Air Vice-Marshal Carl Newman, Australian Defence attaché to the United States and head of Australian Defence Staff, presented commendations to Katie Wheeler and Wing Cmdr. Damien Maldon during an Australian Defence Force awards ceremony Aug. 26. Wheeler received the Chief of Air Force Gold Commendation, while Maldon received the Australian Department of Defence Silver Commendation. Gold and Silver Commendations recognize significant achievement and service within the Australian Defence Force commendation framework.
“The bond between the United States and Australia isn't just a matter of history; it is an active daily reality in our operational squadrons and in our program offices,” said Rear Adm. Joseph Hornbuckle, Deputy Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Aviation – Carrier Strike.
Enabling Common Software for Australian Super Hornet and Growler Fleets
Katie Wheeler, currently the Triton Increment 2 program manager with the Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-262), received the Chief of Air Force Gold Commendation for her superior performance and enduring commitment to the RAAF Super Hornet and Growler programs from 2016 through 2024.
The commendation recognizes Wheeler’s leadership while supporting the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265) as the RAAF Systems Configuration Set Block Lead at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division China Lake, California. Her technical and programmatic contributions across multiple software builds proved instrumental in delivering advanced air combat and electronic attack capabilities to Australia.
Her award citation specifically highlighted her role in championing the U.S. Navy and RAAF common software initiative, securing U.S. Department of War approval for a strategy designed to mutually benefit both nations.
“We always need to ask ourselves how our decisions impact our allies and our combined defense strategies. So that's how I try to operate every day,” Wheeler said. Wheeler also coordinated stakeholders across U.S. Navy program offices, industry partners and test squadrons, producing more than 10 foundational white papers that laid the groundwork for implementing U.S. Navy common software across Australia's Super Hornet and Growler fleets.
“Your leadership in establishing common software between us and the United States Navy will echo for generations—not just for this platform, but [in setting] the standards for those platforms to come,” Newman said.
PMA-265 supports, sustains and advances the F/A-18A-D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets, delivering critical capabilities to ensure aviators succeed in dynamic and contested operational environments.
Next Generation Jammer Contributions Recognized
Wing Cmdr. Damien Maldon, Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) Integrated Product Team lead for the Joint Program Office—managed by the Airborne Electronic Attack Systems Program Office (PMA-234) in partnership with the RAAF—received the Australian Department of Defence Silver Commendation.
Maldon’s citation highlights his outstanding performance, program management and international diplomacy in advancing the NGJ program and strengthening ties between the U.S. Navy and the Australian Department of Defence. During that time, Maldon led initiatives within the Joint Program Office that fostered organizational culture and aligned joint strategic goals.
The award also recognizes Maldon's critical contributions toward the timely delivery of the NGJ Mid-Band airborne electronic attack capability, supporting Australia's in-service transition date and the start of RAAF NGJ Mid-Band flight operations. His oversight minimized capability realization risks and supported the timely declaration of initial operational capability.
“I've been incredibly fortunate to be embraced by the U.S. Navy team and to work alongside people from both our nations who remind me every day that none of us achieves anything alone,” Maldon said.
PMA-234 acquires, delivers and sustains advanced airborne electronic attack systems, equipping combatant commanders with decisive multi-spectral combat capabilities that enable mission success.
| Date Taken: | 09.02.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.02.2026 13:06 |
| Story ID: | 573779 |
| Location: | PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 25 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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