Swampscott Navy Commander To Lead 'Rangers' Training Squadron

MARBLEHEAD, MA — A Swampscott U.S. Navy Commander is not in charge of the VT "Rangers" — a naval air training squadron based at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.

Morrison assumed all duties and responsibilities as the VT-28 commanding officer while completing aerial maneuvers in front of a gathering of Navy leadership, squadron members, and family and friends during an April 23 airborne ceremony.

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"To our Ranger students … you are the future," Morrison said "I was prepared to speak to you about how critical you are to our national defense because of some nebulous future conflict whether in the Pacific or the Middle East, or anywhere we are asked to project power.

"But based on recent events, that time is now …s o be ready each and every day that your name is called.”

Founded in 1960, VT-28’s mission is to provide Primary flight training instruction to student naval aviators while flying the T-6B Texan II, a fixed-wing tandem-seat turboprop aircraft.

Student aviators learn and all phases of flight, include takeoff and landing, emergency procedures, aerobatics, formation, and instrument flying.

"I am honored and excited to lead the Rangers of VT-28," said Morrison. "We will double down on the mentorship of our students to build the foundation of their naval aviation careers.

"We are guided by the words: humility, approachability, and credibility. I feel lucky to work with an incredible group of professionals."

Cmdr. Morrison was designated a naval aviator in 2009 at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Florida, before reporting to the "Blackjacks" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21 flying the MH-60S "Knighthawk."

He completed two deployments with the 2515^th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment at Udairi Army Airfield, Kuwait, in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.

In 2013, Cmdr. Morrison reported to Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan flying the UC-12F "Huron" where he flew logistics missions throughout U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and deployed several times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Philippines.

He transferred to Afloat Training Group Western Pacific in Yokosuka, Japan, where he led a team of sailors across five warfare areas, including aviation, medical, search and rescue, navigation and seamanship.

In 2016, he transferred to the "Doerbirds" of VT-2 at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida, flying and instructing student aviators on the T-6B "Texan II."

The following assignments included studies at the Naval War College in Newport, RI, and the Office of the Chief of Navy Reserve at the Pentagon as director of reserve flag matters.

Morrison has flown more than 2,900 mishap-free flight hours.

He is a member of St. John’s Preparatory School class of 2003 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice University of Maryland in 2007.

He holds a Master of Science in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., He lives in Corpus Christi, Texas, with his wife Akemi, their son, Dennis, and daughter, Julia.