Tide Talks with Southern Maryland and Pacific NW Tech Bridges

Are you an innovator, technologist, or small business leader curious about how squadrons and program offices in the Navy collaborate — and where small businesses fit in?
Join the Southern Maryland and Pacific Northwest Tech Bridges for an interactive Tide Talks session featuring Commander Kyle Hanford, Commanding Officer, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131 “Lancers” and Commander Michael Mabry, Growler Level 1 Integrated Product Team Lead (IPTL), with the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265).
Hear about the intricacies of their roles related to PMA-265, how they collaborate together, and the ways they work with small businesses, all to support the warfighter.
Come ready for:

• First-hand perspectives from Commander Kyle Hanford (CO, VAQ-131 "Lancers") and Commander Michael Mabrey (Growler Level 1 IPT Lead, PMA-265)
• An inside look at how squadrons and program offices collaborate to deliver capabilities for the F/A-18 and EA-18G platforms
• Understanding engagement pathways for small businesses and innovators who want to support the mission
• Direct conversation with Navy leaders in an open, interactive format (not a one-way presentation!)
  EVENT DETAILS
  Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
  Time: 14:00 EST I 10:00 PST
  Format: Hybrid: Simulcast virtual + In-person
  Locations:

• SOMD Tech Bridge at TechPort (California, MD)
  with CDR Mabrey and moderator Rick Tarr
• PNW Tech Bridge at Venture Mechanics (Bellevue, WA)
  with CDR Hanford and moderator Johannes Schonberg
  

This hybrid simulcast + in-person event brings together perspectives from the fleet and the program office, offering insight into how these teams support the warfighter, engage with industry and academia, and identify opportunities for innovation.
You may register as a virtual attendee or in person at one of the aforementioned Tech Bridges.
*** OFFICIAL EVENT REGISTRATION FOR BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE IS VIA THE WEBEX REGISTRATION LINK FOUND ***

Commander Michael Mabrey will be joining Tech Bridge Director, Rick Tarr, at the SOMD Tech Bridge at Tech Port, 44185 Airport Rd, California, MD 20619.

Commander Kyle Hanford will be joining Tech Bridge Director, Johannes Schonberg, at Venture Mechanics Startup Launchpad at 14110 NE 21st St, Bellevue, WA 98007.

ABOUT PMA-265 and VAQ-131 LANCERS
The F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265) provides critical current and future capabilities in the form of total life cycle support management (cradle to grave) for the F/A-18A-D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler weapons systems.
PMA-265 is responsible for acquiring, delivering and sustaining the F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft, ensuring mission success for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators, as well as international partners to include Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain and Switzerland.

The Lancers of VAQ-131 are a highly trained and skilled group of men and women. We fly the EA-18G Growler and set the standard as the Electronic Attack arm of Naval Air Power. We maintain the highest standards of professional, physical and personal readiness. The EA-18G Growler represents the most advanced technology in airborne Electronic Attack and stands as the Navy’s first line of defense in hostile environments.

A variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet Block II, the EA-18G Growler combines the capability of the combat-proven Super Hornet with the latest AEA avionics suite evolved from the Improved Capability III (ICAP III) system. The EA-18G’s vast array of sensors and weapons provides the warfighter with a lethal and survivable weapon system to counter current and emerging threats.

NOTE
There will be no FAR acquisition information shared during this event, nor information on any project currently under contract.
This engagement serves as an interactive conversation between the participants and not a one way sharing of information or a presentation.

In-person attendance at each location will be limited to 45 attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.
QUESTIONS
Contact *** OFFICIAL EVENT REGISTRATION FOR BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE IS VIA THE WEBEX REGISTRATION LINK FOUND ***

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Venture Mechanics Startup Launchpad, 14110 Northeast 21st Street, Bellevue, United States