December 11, 2020
By Ethan Carter, Navy Office of Community Outreach – Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Hobbs, a native of Saint Leonard, Maryland, is currently serving on an exchange with the French Marine Nationale as a part of the Personnel Exchange Program.
Hobbs is a U.S. Navy pilot who’s been responsible for flying the MH-60S operationally and the T-6B as an instructor.
“I am currently flying the AS-65 Dauphin with the French Navy,” added Hobbs.
Hobbs is a 1999 Saint Mary’s Ryken high school graduate and 2007 University of Maryland graduate, who joined the Navy 18 years ago, shortly after 9/11.
“Growing up close to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, I remember seeing naval aircraft everywhere and thinking about how cool it would be to do that for a job,” Hobbs said. “Somewhere along the way I decided to take a swing at it, and fortunately, I was able to realize my goals.”