The V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275) held a change of command ceremony April 29 where Col. Brian Taylor relieved Col. Matthew Kelly as the program manager.

Maj. Gen. Greg Masiello, program executive officer for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault & Special Mission Programs, presided over the ceremony.

“This platform is a quintessential example of Marine aviation and the equity you [Col Kelly] have put in this aircraft is second to none,” said Masiello. “Your leadership and the work done by the entire V-22 workforce should be applauded.”

As the program manager, Kelly was responsible for a workforce of 900 military, civilian and contractors within the V-22 Osprey enterprise and managed a budget of more than $8.8 billion. Under his purview, the joint program saw marked improvements in aircraft reliability and capability integration, enhancing the tactical and operational capability of the V-22 family of aircraft.

Kelly led the award of a third multi-year procurement contract to procure remaining domestic aircraft saving over $500 million compared to single year estimates for stand-alone contracts. He focused the team on transitioning to sustainment and readiness, leading to the highest ever mission capable numbers for Marine Corps squadrons.

Kelly’s leadership was instrumental in the production, first flight and delivery of the CMV-22B, the Navy’s variant of the V-22. In less than two years, the aircraft went from production to fleet integration as it prepares for first deployment with the “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 later this year.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the V-22 community across the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force and I’m proud of the achievements the people of PMA-275 accomplished over the last four years,” said Kelly. “Their hard work and dedication has made the difference and I can’t thank them enough for their efforts.”

Kelly plans to retire from the Marine Corps later this year, after 28 years of dedicated service.

Col. Taylor began his career flying the CH-53E Super Stallion. After multiple deployments and squadron-based assignments, he reported to Naval Air Systems Command Patuxent River as the CH-53K King Stallion assistant program manager for Systems Engineering and later transitioned to the CH-53E/MH-53E integrated program team lead (IPTL) for the Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office (PMA-261).

In June 2017, Taylor was assigned to the USMC Light/Attack Helicopters Program Office (PMA-276) as the Warfighting Readiness lead where he was responsible for the program office activities supporting over 300 AH-1W Super Cobra, UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper helicopters. In April 2019, he was assigned as the military assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, for Research, Development and Acquisition.

Prior to becoming the program manager, Taylor served as the PMA-275 MV-22B IPTL.

“I am honored and humbled by this opportunity. I have been a member of this team for the last year and I am astounded by the skills, passion, determination and dedication to the warfighter demonstrated on a daily basis,” said Taylor. “Col. Kelly has done a phenomenal job setting the program up for success and has done an admirable job leading this team through some truly challenging times. This program is on a great trajectory and I look forward to the challenge of continuing the great work of the Osprey Team and getting better every day.”

PMA-275 manages the cradle-to-grave procurement, development, fielding, sustainment and disposal of the tiltrotor program for the DOD and its international partner.