Col Leigh Irwin

Col. Leigh Irwin is program manager for the Multi-Mission Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems program office (PMA-266) at Patuxent River, Maryland.

A native of Oneonta, New York, Irwin is a graduate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science. She was commissioned in December 2003 and designated a naval aviator in June 2006.​

She also holds a master’s degree in business administration from American Military University and a master’s in national resource strategy with a concentration in acquisition from the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at National Defense University. ​

Irwin’s operational background includes multiple combat and expeditionary deployments. She deployed to Al Asad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served aboard the USS Bataan (LHD-5) with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. As a graduate of the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron (MAWTS) 1, she served in key​ leadership positions within Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 (HMLA) 167, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263 Reinforced) and HMLA- 469, including aircraft maintenance officer and other staff positions. She’s accumulated over 2,000 flight hours as a UH-1N/Y pilot. ​

Irwin’s acquisition expertise spans both operational test and program management. She served as operational test director at Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9 and is a plank owner of Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1 where she led H-1 operational test efforts. In 2019, she was selected as an aviation acquisition professional and served as military deputy program manager for the USMC Light/Attack Helicopter program office (PMA-276) at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). In this role she successfully partnered with Bell Helicopter to deliver over 50 AH-1Z aircraft on schedule, earning her the NAVAIR commander’s award for improved readiness.

Most recently while serving as director of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Unmanned Expeditionary (MUX) Medium-Altitude, High-Endurance (MALE) aircraft program at PMA-266, Irwin led her joint team to achieve early operational capability ahead of schedule. The MUX MALE team’s success underpinned Irwin’s selection for the prestigious MCAA Michael A. Hough Award for Acquisition Excellence in Marine Aviation.