Submitted
Commander Jason R. Baumann, a Noblesville native, assumed the responsibility of Commanding Officer at the Strike Fighter Weapons School, Atlantic in a ceremony commencing at Naval Air Station, Oceana Building 137, Virginia Beach, Va., on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Hangar Two onboard Naval Air Station, Oceana.
CDR Baumann graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. He received his commission through Officer Candidate School at Pensacola, Fla., in October 2005. In April 2006, he was assigned to pilot training at Pensacola, Fla., Corpus Christi, Texas, and then Kingsville, Texas, earning his Naval Aviator Wings in November 2007.
Following initial flight training, CDR Baumann reported to the “Gladiators” of VFA-106 for instruction in the FA-18 Super Hornet. Trained as a Fleet Replacement Pilot, he was first assigned to the “Red Rippers” of VFA-11 from October 2008 until September 2011. He completed a combat deployment aboard the USS Enterprise flying missions into Iraq and Afghanistan. In VFA-11, he served as Schedules Officer, Aircraft Division Officer, and Weapons and Tactics Officer.
In September 2011, he was selected to attend the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). CDR Baumann graduated TOPGUN with follow on orders to Strike Fighter Weapons School, Atlantic. At Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic, CDR Baumann served as the Fighter Missions Subject Matter Expert and TAC DEV director.
In 2014, CDR Baumann reported to Atsugi, Japan, and the “Chippies” of VFA-195 as the Training and Standardization Officer deploying aboard USS George Washington & USS Ronald Reagan in the western Pacific. In January of 2016, CDR Baumann reported to the Naval Postgraduate School and graduated in June of 2017 as a Conrad scholar with a Masters of Business Administration (Financial Management).
In October 2017, CDR Baumann reported to the “War Party” of VFA-87 where he served as the Safety, Administrative, Maintenance, and Operations Officer deploying aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Pacific. In October 2020, CDR Baumann was assigned to the staff of Commander Naval Air Forces, det Norfolk serving as the F-35C Requirements Officer. He then reported to Commander Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic in August 2022 while going through the prospective XO/CO schooling pipeline.
CDR Baumann has accumulated over 2,700 flight hours and more than 600 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike-Flight Air Medal (Individual Action), Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy Achievement Medal, as well as various unit, campaign, and service awards.
On Oct. 11, 2024, CDR Baumann assumed the roles and responsibilities of Commanding Officer Strike Fighter Weapons School, Atlantic. CDR Baumann is married to Jessica Baumann (née Egler) and they have three children together: Lily, Evelyn, and Benjamin.