The Non-Standard Rotary Wing Project Office, under the Program Executive Office for Aviation, performed a change of charter ceremony Aug. 1 at Bob Jones Auditorium, saying farewell to a project manager and welcoming a new leader.

Surrounded by family, close friends and colleagues, Col. James Kennedy relinquished responsibility to Col. Steve Clark who relinquished responsibility of the Fixed Wing Project Office earlier that day.

Brig. Gen. Bob Marion, program executive officer for aviation, talked about how it is difficult to prepare for anything having to do with non-standard because it is different than any other project office in PEO Aviation. The non-standard project office team is dedicated to doing this because they are committed to serving Soldiers. He said Kennedy "making sure it gets done correctly" has been his number one mission over the last two years in his command.

After receiving the Meritorious Service Medal, Kennedy thanked everyone for attending, especially his family. He remarked about the non-standard rotary wing office, saying that "until you've been in the office a couple of days, you don't understand the complexity of what goes on every day."

Kennedy has served in the Army for over 25 years, and has worked in a variety of offices in Army aviation. He will transition to the Program Executive Office for Aviation headquarters where he will be working in the special projects office.

Clark spoke to the audience after the non-standard rotary wing project office flag was passed to him. He spoke of how blessed he is to have been given this opportunity and how he is looking forward to leading the team.

Clark, a master Army aviator, has vast experience in different programs across the Army. He has served in the Army for almost 25 years.

The mission of the NSRWA project office is to procure, field and sustain non-standard rotorcraft for the Department of Defense, allied countries or as directed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense in support of overseas contingency operations. It is DOD's focal point for non-standard rotary wing aircraft. The term "non-standard" specifies any rotary wing aircraft that is not a "standard" procured and sustained item within DOD.

The fleet they support includes Mi-17s, Mi-35s, MD-500Es, MD-530Fs, MD-600Ns, AH-1Fs, AH-6i's, IA-407s, Bell 412s, S-333s, Bell 206s, UH-1s, Huey IIs and AW-139s.