Tom Huff, from Leonardtown, Maryland, began modeling in the more classical progression from scale plastic kits, to control line, and then radio control. During Middle School in Columbia, MD, Tom had a shop teacher (Ed Mitchell) that was a master modeler, and remained a close friend and modeling mentor until Ed lost a courageous battle with cancer in 1997. Tom was a member of the Fort Meade Modelers (Maryland) and later, the River City RC Club in Louisville, KY. While in Louisville, Tom befriended a neighbor who was a commercial pilot and nationally ranked RC helicopter pilot (Pete Bankson). Tom’s brother, Scott was also an RC fanatic, and together with Pete, participated in some fierce RC combat over the years. Though Tom never lost the RC bug, full size aviation was always the calling. Working as a Lineman at Bowman Field to pay for flying lessons, Tom could solo an airplane before a car, which never sat well with his mother. Recognizing that military aviation would allow greater opportunities, Tom attended the US Naval Academy and embarked on a journey to fly jets from the decks of aircraft carriers. During advanced jet training in Kingsville, TX Tom was introduced to pattern flying from Steve Kessler and attended several meets in Texas and Louisiana. Despite scarce time for RC, Tom occasionally flew with the Gateway RC Club in Jacksonville, FL, then with a group that endured the heat and dust of the dry lakebed at China Lake, CA and later with the Tidewater RC Club in Virginia Beach, VA. During current and several past tours at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD, Tom flew with the Pax Aeromodelers and served as Vice President and President of that club. Tom currently dabbles in helicopters, IMAC, as well as electrics. He incorporates control line and RC aviation into his Boy Scout Aviation Merit Badge Counselor program and is embarking on a local school modeling club and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) instructional effort.

CAPT Thomas W. Huff hails from Louisville, Kentucky and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1984. He was designated a Naval Aviator in December 1985 and remained with VT-21 in Kingsville, Texas as a Selectively Retained Graduate (SERGRAD) to instruct in the TA-4J aircraft.

CAPT Huff transitioned to FA-18’s and reported to the “Valions” of VFA-15, where he made both the maiden Mediterranean deployment in USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71) in 1988 and the Gulf War deployment in 1991, participating in Operations DESERT STORM and PROVIDE COMFORT.

CAPT Huff was a Weapons Training Officer at Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic, prior to attending the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland with Class 102. Upon graduation in 1992, he was assigned to the FA-18 Weapons System Support Activity, China Lake, California, participating in mission computer software integration and APG-73 radar development.

In 1996, CAPT Huff reported to the “Gunslingers” of VFA-105 for his Department Head tour, completing a third deployment in ROOSEVELT that included Operations DELIBERATE GUARD over Bosnia and SOUTHERN WATCH in Iraq. In 1997, he reported to the Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron (VX-23), Patuxent River as the Test Wing Atlantic Ordnance Support Team Lead, conducting stores compatibility and carrier suitability testing.

In 1999, CAPT Huff reported to VFA-87 as Executive Officer and commanded the squadron until July 2001; deploying in ROOSEVELT and ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), and participating in ALLIED FORCE and SOUTHERN WATCH. After attending the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island in 2001, he returned to Pax River as the Class Desk systems engineer for the FA-18 Program (PMA-265). He subsequently commanded U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and then served as Chief of Staff for Program Executive Officer, Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons. He assumed command of Naval Test Wing Atlantic in 2008 where he currently serves.

CAPT Huff’s awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal. He has accumulated over 4500 tactical jet flight hours and 600 carrier landings.

CAPT Huff resides in Leonardtown, Maryland with his wife Terri. Their son, ENS Zach Huff is a 2010 USNA Grad and aviation select, and their daughter Lauren recently soloed as a student pilot, and is a junior at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL.