U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Research, Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder, confers the Meritorious Service Medal upon Cmdr. Jay Steingold, Commanding Officer, Scientific Development Squadron ONE (VXS-1), for outstanding meritorious service as commanding officer of VXS-1 from January 2011 to May 2012.
Commander Steingold's distinguished leadership and sustained superior performance were critical to the continued success of the United State's Navy's sole airborne Science & Technology research squadron, said Rear Adm. Klunder. Cmdr. Steingold's exceptional professionalism, personal initiative and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Responsible for safe operations of four NP-3D Orions, two RC-12 Guardrails, four Scan Eagle Unmanned Aerial Systems and the U.S. Navy's only manned, lighter than air (LTA) airship, MZ-3A, Steingold steered the actions of 82 officers, Sailors and civilians with unparalleled clarity. His actions directly enabled the execution of over 1,200 Class A mishap free flight hours in support of ten Office of Naval Research and Naval Research Laboratory missions.
Steingold was commissioned in May 1992, following his graduation from the United States Naval Academy. In May 1994, he earned his Wings of Gold and joined the Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance Force as a naval flight officer (NFO) after completing flight training in Pensacola, Fla., and San Antonio, Texas.
Upon completion of the P-3 NFO fleet replacement squadron (FRS) syllabus in NAS Jacksonville, Fla., Steingold reported to NAS Brunswick, Maine, joining VP-8 in November 1994. He served as legal officer, NFO Tactics and NFO NATOPS officer while assigned to the FIGHTING TIGERS, and completed two six-month deployments to Sigonella, Italy and participated in operations SHARP GUARD and DELIBERATE GUARD in support of NATO.
In August 1998, Steingold reported to Virginia Tech Naval ROTC unit as assistant professor of naval science, sophomore advisor and midshipman cruise coordinator. He taught two semesters before pursuing his next set of sea duty orders. He reported aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) as a catapult & arresting gear officer in September 1999, and deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.
In October 2001, Steingold commenced a pre-department head tour with VP-30 and was designated an FRS NFO instructor and Orion Weapons & Tactics Instructor (WTI). He served as aircraft division officer and weapons & tactics unit fleet training division officer. He personally initiated, coordinated and directed the efforts of the first combined WTU-NAVAIR P-3 software fleet introduction team.
Steingold reported once again to NAS Brunswick, Maine in November 2003, joining VP-26 in a department head role where he served as Safety/NATOPS, administrative officer, training officer and operations officer, and was awarded the peer-selected Navy and Marine Corps Association Leadership Award by Commander, Naval Air Forces in 2004.
During his tour he deployed to Sigonella, Italy and Bahrain flying missions in support of Operations DELIBERATE FORGE/JOINT GUARDIAN, ACTIVE ENDEAVOR, ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.
Upon completion of his department head tour in March 2006, Steingold was assigned to the staff of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Financial Management and Comptroller as a line analyst responsible for aviation procurement, other procurement (Navy), and research, development, test & evaluation budgets.
In August 2007, he transferred within the Pentagon to the Joint Chiefs of Staff where he served as deputy of resources & acquisition management for the Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment Directorate (J-8). On January 14, 2011, Steingold assumed the duties as VXS-1 commanding officer at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., and was relieved May 3, 2012, by Cmdr. Stacey Wright during the squadron's change of command ceremony.