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CAPTAIN RICHARD PEARSALL SCUDDER, USN
Captain Richard Pearsall Scudder, USN, is the vice commandant of AFIT.
Captain Scudder was raised in Ridgefield, Connecticut. He received his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bridgeport (Connecticut) in 1981, and was commissioned through Aviation Officer Candidate School in March 1982. He was designated a Naval Aviator in July 1983.
Captain Scudder completed six world-wide deployments aboard five different Carrier Battle Groups, and saw action in Operations DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM, DESERT FOX, and SOUTHERN WATCH. He also deployed with Joint Task Force 188 for Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY in Haiti. He was selected for operational command of the HS-7 "Dusty Dogs" in 1997. HS-7 is a carrier-based squadron flying the Sikorsky SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawk aircraft in performance of the Combat Search & Rescue, Special Operations Support, and Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) missions. HS-7 was awarded the Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet Safety "S" and the Arnold J. Isbell Trophy for ASW Excellence during his Command Tour.
His shore tours have all been focused on test and evaluation (T&E) of Navy aviation platforms and weapons. While serving with the VX-1 "Pioneers," he conducted the Operational Evaluation of the new SH-60F contributing to its DoD program approval and Fleet introduction. As Assistant Program Manager for T&E at the Naval Air Systems Command, he coordinated all aspects of developmental, live fire and operational testing for fifteen acquisition programs including the USMC H-1 Upgrades, H-53, and H-60 series aircraft; Standoff Land Attack Missile; and the Joint Standoff Weapon family of precision strike munitions. The DoD designated him as an Acquisition Professional in June 1997. Most recently, Captain Scudder served as T&E Division Director on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff, coordinating policy, oversight and Congressional liaison for all of the Navy's acquisition programs and T&E infrastructure.
Captain Scudder is the third Naval Officer to serve as Vice Commandant under the 2002 Strategic Alliance between the Air Force Institute of Technology and the Naval Postgraduate School.
| 1981 | Bachelor of Science Degree, Mechanical Engineering, University of Bridgeport |
| 1992 | Certificate in Aviation Safety, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA |
| 2002 | Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College, Newport, RI |
| 2002 | Joint Professional Military Education Phase II, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA |
ASSIGNMENTS
- November 1981- March 1982: student, Aviation Officer Candidate School Class 08-82), NAS Pensacola, FL
- March-May 1982: Aircraft Division Officer, Strike Aircraft Test Directorate, NATC Patuxent River, MD
- May 1982- July 1983: Flight Training (VT-3, HT-8, HT-18), NAS Whiting Field, FL
- August - December 1983: student, SH-3H Fleet Readiness Training, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron TEN (HS-10), NAS North Island, CA
- January 1984 - April 1987: Maintenance Quality Assurance Officer, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron FOUR (HS-4) "Black Knights" deployed aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70)
- May 1987 - November 1989: SH-60F Operational Test Director, Air Test & Evaluation Squadron ONE (VX-1) "Pioneers" at NAS Patuxent River, MD
- December 1989 - December 1991, Assistant Operations Officer, Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN Staff deployed aboard USS SARATOGA (CV-60)
- January 1992 - May 1992: student, SH-60F Fleet Transition Training, HS-10, NAS North Island, CA
- June 1992 - October 1994: Head, Aircraft Maintenance and Aviation Safety Departments, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron THREE (HS-3) "Tridents" deployed aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71)
- November 1994 - October 1997: Test & Evaluation Division (AIR-1.6), Naval Air Systems Command, Crystal City, VA and NAS Patuxent River, MD
- November 1997 - March 1998: student, SH-60F Fleet Readiness Training, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron TEN (HS-10), NAS North Island, CA
- April 1998 - December 2000: Executive Officer and Commanding Officer, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron SEVEN (HS-7) "Dusty Dogs" deployed aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) and USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75)
- January 2001 - March 2002: student, Naval War College, Newport, RI
- April - June 2002: student, Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, VA
- July 2002- May 2006: Director, Test & Evaluation Division (N912), Chief of Naval Operations Staff, Pentagon/Crystal City, VA
- June 2006 - present: Vice Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology
| Flight Hours: | 4,250 mishap-free flight hours in 17 models of Navy and civilian aircraft, including 2,300 hours in the H-60 Seahawk, and 1,550 hours in the SH-3H Sea King |
| Legion of Merit | |
| Meritorious Service Medal (two awards) | |
| Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards) | |
| Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal |
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS
| Ensign | March 12, 1982 |
| Lieutenant Junior Grade | March 12, 1984 |
| Lieutenant | March 12, 1986 |
| Lieutenant Commander | September 1, 1991 |
| Commander | June 1, 1997 |
| Captain | June 1, 2003 |
