SWAMPSCOTT — Navy pilot and Swampscott native James “Jim” Morrison reached new heights last week, assuming command of the VT-28 Rangers, a naval air training squadron based at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.
At an April 23 ceremony in Corpus Christi, Morrison assumed all duties and responsibilities as commanding officer from Cmdr. James McNamee. The change of command took place in the air, with Morrison completing aerial maneuvers in front of a crowd of Navy leadership, squadron members, family, and friends.
Morrison grew up in Swampscott and is a graduate of St. John’s Preparatory School. His earliest flight experience came during his high school years, working after school and on weekends at the Beverley Airport, where he was compensated with flight lessons in lieu of pay.
After graduating from the University of Maryland in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice on a Naval Reserve scholarship, Morrison was commissioned as a naval officer. His oath of office was administered by his father, William Morrison Sr., a former first lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Morrison completed his initial training in Pensacola, Florida, before reporting for primary flight training at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi — the very same base where he will now lead VT-28.
Following flight training, Morrison was deployed to the Middle East during the Iraq War. Stationed at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, he flew Medevac and combat support missions with the 2515th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment, earning a Navy Air Medal for meritorious achievement after completing two combat Medevac missions and 17 combat support missions over Iraq.
Across his Navy career, Morrison has logged more than 2,900 mishap-free flight hours.
In remarks following the aerial demonstration, Morrison emphasized both leadership and the responsibility placed on the next generation of aviators.
“I am honored and excited to lead the Rangers of VT-28,” Morrison said. “We will double down on the mentorship of our students to build the foundation of their naval aviation careers. We are guided by the words: humility, approachability, and credibility. I feel lucky to work with an incredible group of professionals.”
Addressing the squadron’s trainees directly, Morrison underscored the immediacy of their role.
“To our Ranger students… you are the future,” he said. “I was prepared to speak to you about how critical you are to our national defense because of some nebulous future conflict, whether in the Pacific or the Middle East, or anywhere we are asked to project power. But based on recent events, that time is now… so be ready each and every day that your name is called.”
Founded in 1960, VT-28’s mission is to provide primary flight training to student naval aviators using the T-6B Texan II, a tandem-seat turboprop aircraft. Training includes all phases of flight, from takeoff and landing to aerobatics, formation flying, emergency procedures, and instrument navigation. Graduates go on to advanced training pipelines specific to their aviation communities.
Morrison joins the command after earning a Master of Science in systems engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Arts in defense and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. Now leading the same training base where he once learned to fly, he lives in Corpus Christi with his wife, Akemi, and their two children, Dennis and Julia.
