The change-of-command ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. in Hangar 306 of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 20.

Beginning in January 2001 and prior to being assigned as the executive officer here at Pax, Henry served as chief of staff for the Program Executive Officer, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation (PEO(W).

Henry was born at what was then called the Naval Hospital at Pax River, but for most of his youth was raised in Knoxville, Tenn. He entered the United States Naval Academy in July 1973 and graduated in 1977 with a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering. After a tour at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, he attended Columbia University as a Guggenheim Fellow and graduated in May 1978 with a master of science degree in engineering mechanics. He then reported to Pensacola for flight training and was designated a Naval aviator in 1979.

Henry's initial operational assignment was with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 37 in Barbers Point, Hawaii, where he flew the SH-2F Sea Sprite and served as the aircrew division officer, air intelligence officer, and assistant maintenance officer. During this tour, he deployed to the Western Pacific with HSL-37 Detachment 7 in USS Francis Hammond (FF 1067) and USS Kirk (FF 1087), serving as the detachment operations/administrative officer. He also deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean with HSL-37 Detachment 9 in USS Oeullet (FF 1077) and USS Rathburne (FF 1057), serving as the detachment assistant officer-in-charge and maintenance officer.

In 1983, Henry was assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 at Pax River, where he served as an operations analyst for helicopter related projects as well as the model manager for the SH-2F Tactical Manual. He completed transition to the SH-60B Seahawk in May 1984 and was the operational test analyst for the Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation of the Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) MK III Weapons System which was conducted aboard USS Underwood (FFG 36). In 1985, he was selected as the Naval Helicopter Association's Washington Region Pilot of the Year.

Henry was reassigned to HSL-44 in Mayport, Fla., in June 1986. He served there as the squadron training officer and later as the squadron maintenance officer. Additionally, during this tour, he was assigned as the first officer-in-charge of HSL-44 Detachment 7 in USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).

In November 1989, Henry reported to the Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (OP-122) to serve as the head of Navy Officer Programming in Washington, D.C. In September 1990, he transferred to the Navy Planning and Programming Office (OP-80) where he was responsible for all Navy Manpower/Personnel planning and programming.

Following refresher flight training, Henry reported to HSL-49 as executive officer in September 1992, and assumed command of HSL-49 in December 1993.

Upon completion of his operational command tour in February 1995, Henry was assigned to USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) as navigator. In April 1997, he was assigned to NAVAIR's Air Traffic Control and Combat Identification Program (PMA-213) at Webster Field as the deputy program manager for combat identification systems. In August 1999, he was reassigned to the Multi-Mission Helicopter Program Office (PMA-299) as the Senior Assistant Program Manager for Systems Engineering for all H-60 helicopter programs. Beginning in January 2001 and prior to being assigned as the executive officer of Pax River, he served as chief of staff for the Program Executive Officer, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation (PEO(W)).

He is also a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College, Fort Belvoir, Va. His military awards and decorations include five Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, National Defense Medal (with Bronze Star), Humanitarian Service Medal and several unit awards.

Henry is married to the former Linda Lee Whanger of Knoxville, Tenn. The Henrys reside in Leonardtown, and have five sons.

Swanson entered the United States Naval Academy in July 1973 from Avon, Conn., and graduated with a bachelor of science in naval architecture in June 1977. Designated a Naval aviator in November 1978, he reported to Training Squadron 23, NAS Kingsville, Texas, for instructor duty. While serving with VT-23, he earned a master's degree from Webster University with a dual major in business administration and human relations.

In December 1980, following initial F-14 training, Swanson reported to the "Ghostriders" of Fighter Squadron 142 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. In December 1983 he was selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. He graduated in June 1985, having flown over 25 different aircraft including gliders, heavy transport, strategic and numerous front-line tactical aircraft. Swanson next reported to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 4 and was assigned to a selective and highly classified Air Force test squadron where he served as the chief Navy project test pilot on numerous highly classified and sensitive joint service/DoD projects. Much of his work in this capacity had a significant and long-term effect on current warfighting capabilities and the direction of future system development. For his achievement in developmental and operational flight test he was elected as member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. In April 1988 he reported to Fighter Squadron 103 aboard USS Saratoga. He served as squadron maintenance officer, and as operations officer during Operation Desert Storm, receiving three individual Air Medals, one Strike/Flight Air Medal, and a Navy Commendation Medal with combat "V." Additionally, he was selected Fighter Wing 1 Fighter Pilot of the Year for 1991.

After a short tour at NAVAIR Swanson reported in October 1992 to Fighter Squadron 43 as the executive officer, and took command the following year. In 1994, Swanson reported to Test Wing Atlantic at Pax River, where he served as the director for operations and maintenance. During this tour, he was selected for command of the Weapons Test Squadron at China Lake, and assumed command of the "Dust Devils" in December 1996. In June 1998, he was assigned to the F/A-18 Program Office as the deputy program manager for foreign military sales of the F/A-18 Hornet. In February 1999 he was selected and assigned as the executive assistant to the commander of NAVAIR, where he served until reporting as the executive officer of NAS Patuxent River in September 2000. Swanson took command of NAS Patuxent River on August 1, 2002.

Swanson is married to the former Karen Smith of Alexandria, Va. They have one son.