HMS Weapons School Changes Command

Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School, Atlantic, is responsible for ensuring that today's Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Atlantic detachments deploy with the most comprehensive and up to date training available. Additionally, the Weapons School is charged with ensuring the future combat success of all East Coast Helicopter Maritime Strike aircraft.

During his 15-month tour as commanding officer, Raimondo kept the Weapons School running at full speed. He led the charge by acting as Officer Conducting Exercise for numerous significant training events. These included GREYFOX Surface Warfare Hellfire missile shoots, Diesel Electric Submarine Initiative ASW excercises, and consolidated Atlantic Undersea Test & Evaluation Center training periods. Raimondo made immediate and lasting readiness improvements to combat aircrews preparing for deployment, and postured the Weapons School to continue this training trajectory for seamless integration of the new MH-60R and future HSM squadron deployments.

Raimondo's next assignment will be to the Navy War College in Newport, R.I.

Armin graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in electrical engineering and was commissioned through the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps program in May 1990 after spending his formative years moving around the Midwest and overseas.

Armin reported to Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) at NAS Pensacola in June of 1990 for temporary employment while awaiting flight school. After completing flight school, he was winged in May 1993 as an Unrestricted Naval Aviator, graduating on the Commodore's List with Distinction. By the first week of June 1993, he began training in the Sikorsky SH-60B Helicopter at Mayport Florida with the Airwolves of HSL-40.

In February of 1994, Armin transferred to the Proud Warriors of HSL-42 where he deployed in USS Klakring (FFG 42), USS Taylor (FFG 50) and the USS John L. Hall (FFG 32). His deployments included a Mediterranean Sea deployment, Counter Drug Operations (CDOPS) in the Caribbean/Eastern Pacific, Operations in the Baltic Sea, and a full Annual US-South American Allied Exercise (UNITAS). He also embarked Navy Warships to support both Haitian and Cuban Operations, assisting in the rescue of refugees from both countries.

After completing his tour at HSL-42 in February 1997, CDR Armin transferred once again to the Airwolves of HSL-40, this time for duty as an SH-60B Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) instructor. This entire tour was spent training and preparing follow on generations of SH-60B fleet pilots. Armin completed this tour in September 1999.

Armin reported to the Commander Carrier Group Six that same month as the Assistant Air Operations Officer. He deployed to the Persian Gulf aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV67) from late 1999 to early 2000. Following that deployment, he spent the next 14 months conducting Technical Evaluations and Operational Evaluation for the new Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) being introduced to the fleet.

In October 2001, Armin reported back to the Proud Warriors of HSL-42 for his Department Head/Officer in Charge (OIC) tour. He was made the OIC of the Detachment Nine JACKALS. The JACKALS deployed aboard USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51) for a combined CDOPS/UNITAS, recovering over four tons of cocaine. Soon after his return, Armin was sent to augment the Destroyer Squadron TWO's staff on board the USS Roosevelt (CVN 71) for the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He returned in April 03 and held the Squadron Maintenance Officer position until his departure in May 04.

Armin reported to United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) in Colorado Springs, Colorado in Jun 04. He was assigned as the Assistant Secretary for the Joint Staff at NORAD/USNORTHCOM. At the completion of that tour, he reported to HSMWSL and served as the XO until the change of command.