Art Tomassetti

{{short description|US Marine Corps officer and test pilot}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox military person | name = Art Tomassetti | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1964}} | birth_place = Port Chester, New York | image = F-35 Pilot Art Tomassetti in 2002 (cropped).jpg | nickname = "Turbo" | allegiance = {{flag|United States}} | branch = United States Marine Corps | service_years = 1986–2013 (27 years) | rank = 25px Colonel | commands = {{ubl | VX-23 | Marine Aviation Det. Pax River | 33rd Fighter Wing (Vice) }} | battles = Gulf War | awards = {{ubl | Legion of Merit | Defense Meritorious Service Medal | Meritorious Service Medal }} | other_work = {{ubl | Aerospace executive | Consultant }} | website = {{url|http://www.time2climb.com|time2climb.com}} }} '''Arthur Tomassetti''' (born 1964) is a retired United States Marine Corps colonel, combat veteran, and test pilot who is notable for his work on the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and F{{nbh}}35 Lightning II. During twenty-one years on the programs, he worked in key roles developing pilot interfaces, testing aircraft capabilities, fielding aircraft to operational units, and establishing the F-35 training organization that certifies US and international pilots and maintainers.

Tomassetti set multiple records and is the first Marine to have flown all three variants of the Lockheed Martin X-35. He completed the final leg of the first cross-country flight of the X{{nbh}}35C and is the only test pilot to have flown all three variants of the X{{nbh}}35 in addition to the F-35. Tomassetti was the pilot of the first-ever mission to combine short takeoff, level supersonic dash, and vertical landing in a single flight.

Tomassetti served in increasingly responsible positions in the aerospace industry and was president of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. He was also recognized as a fellow of the society and received its Tony LeVier Flight Test Safety Award.

== Early life and education== Tomassetti was born in 1964 in Port Chester, New York, a village in the south-east part of the state on its border with Connecticut.{{r|Hounsfield 2008}} He had childhood ambitions of becoming an astronaut.{{r|Anderson 2012}} NASA's early astronauts were selected from the ranks of military test pilots,{{r|NASA Early Ast}} and Tomassetti felt that following this path could increase his chances of success.{{r|Anderson 2012}} Tomassetti went to St. Thomas Aquinas High School, a private, Roman Catholic, college-preparatory high school in Florida.{{r|Chen 2012}} He attended Northwestern University in Illinois and was accepted into the Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NROTC). Tomassetti graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a commission in the United States Marine Corps (USMC).{{r|Tomassetti USMC Bio 2009}} Tomassetti credited his instructors and mentors at these facilities with teaching him important lessons in teamwork, commitment, and doing one's best.{{r|Chen 2012}}

During his military career, Tomassetti attended the Expeditionary Warfare School at Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, in 1994. He also earned a Master of Science degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee in 2001 and graduated from the USMC Command and Staff College in 2002.{{r|Tomassetti USMC Bio 2009}}

== Military career ==

=== AV-8B Harrier II === In 1986, Tomassetti entered active duty and attended The Basic School. In 1987, he was selected to attend flight training at Naval Air Station Chase Field in Beeville, Texas, and transitioned to training in the AV-8B Harrier II in 1988 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina. From 1989 to 1991, Tomassetti was assigned as a flight officer in the "Tigers" of VMA-542 with whom he made deployments to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf.{{r|Hounsfield 2008}}

====Gulf War==== thumb|left|VMA-542 personnel in 1990 during Operation Desert Shield. Tomassetti is in the front row, fourth from the right. Less than a week after Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990, VMA-542 was ordered to deploy to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield. With the squadron of twenty AV-8Bs, Tomassetti flew from North Carolina to southern Bahrain and arrived at Sheik Isa Air Base on August 21. He spent the next two months preparing for combat by flying training missions and "standing alerts" in which pilots took turns sitting in or near their armed aircraft, ready to scramble on short notice in the event of hostilities.{{r|Nordeen 2012}} The squadron moved closer to the expected area of conflict on November 4–5, repositioning to the King Abdul Aziz Naval Base and airfield complex in Saudi Arabia near the Kuwaiti border. Tomassetti and the squadron continued to fly training sorties with a focus on close air support missions intended to protect ground troops that would soon engage enemy forces.{{r|Nordeen 2012}}

The combat phase of the Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, began on the morning of January 17, 1991. VMA-542's first combat missions began a few hours later and continued on every day of the conflict. Tomassetti's missions were split between close air support under the direction of a forward air controller and armed reconnaissance within a designated kill box where any identifiable targets could be attacked. Desert Storm ended on February 28; in the 43 days of combat throughout the Kuwaiti theatre of operations,{{r|Nordeen 2012}} Tomassetti completed 39 combat missions in the AV-8B.{{r|Hounsfield 2008}} He returned home after the Gulf War and performed in various roles of increasing responsibility with a focus on weapons and the tactics to effectively employ them. In 1992, he attended the USMC Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and conveyed these lessons to the pilots of VMA-542 and VMA-513.{{r|Tomassetti USMC Bio 2009}}

====Test pilot ==== Tomassetti continued to pursue his goal of becoming a test pilot. He applied to the highly competitive program but was turned down. Despite being discouraged, Tomassetti persisted and was accepted on his seventh request.{{r|Anderson 2012}} He attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland, and graduated with class 112 in December 1997.{{r|Tomassetti USMC Bio 2009}} Tomassetti's next assignment was anticipated to be testing updates to legacy aircraft, but he unexpectedly received an offer to join the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) effort.{{r|Tomassetti 2013}} Although his role on the team was not defined, Tomassetti chose the rare opportunity to work on a new aircraft that had not yet left the drawing board.{{r|Anderson 2012}}{{r|NASC 2012}}

=== X-35 demonstrators === thumb|right| Tomassetti delivers the X-35C to Naval Air Station Patuxent River in 2001

The competition phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program was underway in 1997 while Tomassetti was a student at the test pilot school. The scope of the effort was considerable, intended to replace a wide range of existing fighter, strike and ground attack aircraft, including the Air Force's F{{nbh}}16s and A-10s; the Marine Corps' AV-8Bs, F/A-18s, and EA-6Bs; and the Navy's F/A-18A/B/C/Ds.{{r|Wetzel 2012}}{{r|Kenney 2019}} To reduce risk, two concept demonstrator aircraft prototypes were to be built by each contracting team. The Air Force conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) version would validate flight performance, the Marine short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) version (converted from the CTOL air frame) would demonstrate vertical flight characteristics needed to replace the AV-8B, and the Navy's Carrier Variant (CV) would establish the low-speed handling qualities required for carrier flight operations.{{r|Tirpak 2008}} In 1998, Tomassetti was assigned as a test pilot with the "Salty Dogs" of VX-23 and started work with the Lockheed Martin (LM) team that was building the X-35.{{r|Tomassetti USMC Bio 2009}} {{Quote box |quoted = yes |salign = left |quote = Some pilots dream of becoming test pilots, most test pilots dream of flying X airplanes, and I guess X airplane pilots dream of doing something spectacular. Bringing the X-35 into my home base at Pax River after flying it across the country qualifies as spectacular in my book. |author = Art Tomassetti |source =Lockheed Martin 2001 news release{{r|Defense Aerospace 2001}} |align=left |width=40% }} Over the next three and a half years, Tomassetti worked with the Lockheed team to bring the X-35 from a concept to a functioning aircraft.{{r|NASC 2012}} He was one of only eight civilian and military pilots to fly the X{{nbh}}35.{{r|Code One 2000}} He became the US government's lead test pilot{{r|Hehs 2013}} and was their only pilot to fly all three variants of the X{{nbh}}35.{{r|Wright 2010a}} He became the first Marine to fly the X{{nbh}}35A on November 10, 2000, at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California.{{r|Code One 2000}}{{r|Baker 2001}} On February 10, 2001, he flew the X{{nbh}}35C from Fort Worth, Texas, to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland,{{r|Defense Aerospace 2001}} completing the second and final leg of the first cross-country flight of a JSF demonstrator.{{r|Jenkins 2001}} The Patuxent River facility, located at sea level, reproduced aircraft carrier conditions more closely than the high desert of Edwards AFB.{{r|Vogel 2001}} After the X{{nbh}}35A CTOL aircraft was modified into X{{nbh}}35B STOVL form, Tomassetti became the first Marine to fly the aircraft on June 29, 2001, at Edwards AFB. Lockheed Martin's JSF vice president, Tom Burbage, described the flight as a milestone for the program, stating, "Getting a U.S. Marine in the X{{nbh}}35B's cockpit represents a critical step forward in our flight test program, because this is the airplane Marine pilots will rely upon in the future".{{r|Lockheed 2001}}

==== X-35B Mission X "Hat Trick" ==== {{Annotated image | image = X-35B STOVL Hat Trick 2004.jpg | image-width = 900  | image-left = -210  | image-top = -90  | width = 200  | height = 200  | float = left | annotations =  | caption = X-35B STOVL Hat Trick Logo }} Drawing on experiences from the F-22 program,{{r|Simonsen 2016}} Lockheed Martin sought a striking way to promote the X-35 over project competitor Boeing's X-32. Harry Blot, LM's deputy JSF program manager, conceived the "Mission X" demonstration to showcase several capabilities. The experimental flight consisted of a short takeoff, level supersonic flight, and a vertical landing, which had not been accomplished before in a single flight.{{r|Schneider 2001}} Mission X was also known as the program's "hat trick"{{r|Skunk Works Podcast S1E4}} which is a term for three goals scored by one ice hockey player (and other sports) in a single game.{{r|Hat Trick 2020}} According to Tomassetti, "Hat Trick" was also used as the call sign of all X{{nbh}}35 test pilots.{{r|Tomassetti 2002}} To further increase attention, a colorful Hat Trick logo consisting of a magician's hat with three aces was painted on the vertical stabilizers during the two-month conversion of the X{{nbh}}35A into the X{{nbh}}35B.{{r|Simonsen 2016}}{{r|Bevilaqua 2009}}

Mission X was successfully completed on July 20, 2001, at Edwards AFB with Tomassetti at the controls. He thus became the first pilot to fly an aircraft in three regimes of flight (short takeoff, supersonic dash, and vertical landing) in a single sortie.{{r|Wright 2010a}}{{r|Schneider 2001}}{{r|Shiner 2019}}{{r|Lockheed 2019}} Tomassetti called Mission X the highlight of flying the X{{nbh}}35.{{r|Hehs 2013}} X{{nbh}}35B testing continued through August 6, setting multiple records. Aviation author Erik Simonsen called the X-35B flight test program one of the shortest and most effective on record.{{r|Simonsen 2016}}

=== F-35 Lightning II === thumb|right|F-35A at inauguration ceremony in 2006  Lockheed Martin won the Joint Strike Fighter competition in October 2001,{{r|Garamone 2001}} and the program transitioned from X-planes to building the F-35. As the US Marine representative, Tomassetti stayed with the program where he prepared flight test plans, improved cockpit controls and displays, and developed operating manuals.{{r|Hehs 2013}} An area of special interest to Tomassetti was reducing the complexity of flying the F{{nbh}}35. Having experienced the difficulties of flying the Harrier during the Gulf War, he looked for opportunities to ensure that F-35 pilots could spend more time focused on combat rather than routine flight actions.{{r|Anderson 2012}}{{r|NASC 2012}} Methods to reduce complexity and pilot workload have been an active area of research across the industry.{{r|Hanson 2014}} As stated by Tomassetti's fellow F-35 pilot, Jon Beesley, "The best fighting we do is with our minds, and we can do that more effectively if we are spending less time flying".{{r|Smith 2007}}

In 2003, Tomassetti appeared on the Discovery HD show, ''Secrets of Future Air Power'', and described the stealth, ground attack, and data networking capabilities of the F{{nbh}}35.{{r|Secrets 2003}} In June 2004, he left the Lockheed facility at Fort Worth and returned to NAS Patuxent River as chief test pilot of VX-23, where he continued to perform flight testing related to the F-35.{{r|Tomassetti USMC Bio 2009}}{{r|Tomassetti 2013}}

=== Military commands === In December 2005, Tomassetti was assigned as the commanding officer of VX-23,{{r|Tomassetti USMC Bio 2009}} responsible for flight testing the F-35B, F-35C and other US Navy and USMC jet aircraft.{{r|Hehs 2013}} From June 2007 to June 2009, he commanded the Marine Aviation Detachment at NAS Patuxent River,{{r|Tomassetti USMC Bio 2009}} where he supported Naval Air Systems Command with the acquisition, development, and support of naval aeronautical and related technology systems for service members.{{r|MADPR 2007}}

thumb|right|Tomassetti at the standup of the Air Force's first F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter training unit in 2009 By late 2009, the F-35 program had progressed to a point where a facility to train F{{nbh}}35 pilots and maintainers would soon be needed. The 33rd Fighter Wing (FW) at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida was chosen to switch from its Air Combat Command roots to Air Education and Training Command and tasked with creating the first F-35 training unit. Tomassetti was assigned as the vice commander of the wing. The initial step was to establish the operations and maintenance groups needed before the pilots and aircraft began to arrive in another ten months.{{r|Brown 2009}} By late January 2010, the unit had more than one hundred personnel selected from civilian and military services. While his boss was away for training, Tomassetti was assigned as acting commander of the wing, providing him a unique perspective of commanding units from three different services—Navy, Marines, and Air Force.{{r|Wright 2010a}}

In April 2010, the "Warlords" of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) were reactivated at Eglin AFB as the first fleet replacement squadron to train pilots and maintainers on the F-35B.{{r|Arrington 2010}} At the Integrated Training Center, the 33rd FW team had the modern, all-electronic classrooms ready in June 2010 including the first F-35 mission rehearsal trainer—a replica of the F-35 cockpit that used the same software as the actual jet.{{r|Wright 2010b}} The first production F-35 arrived on July 14, 2011, and was assigned to the 33rd FW training unit.{{r|King 2011}} By late February 2012, the wing had increased to over one thousand people including forty experienced pilots,{{r|Shalal-Esa 2012}} but F-35 flight training was postponed for months due to delays in flight testing and newly discovered design flaws.{{r|Axe 2012}} The unit took advantage of this delay to institute additional training,{{r|Santy 2012}} using F-16s until the F{{nbh}}35s were approved. Tomassetti summed up the situation when he stated, "The most-frustrated pilot is one who isn't flying at all".{{r|Axe 2012}} The first F-35 training mission took place at Eglin AFB on March 6, 2012,{{r|Eglin 2012}} followed shortly after by the start of formal training on the logistics system.{{r|Roganov 2012a}}

thumb|right|33rd Fighter Wing Vice Commander Tomassetti in 2010 Tomassetti became the thirty-fifth pilot to fly the F-35 on April 3, 2012, and earned the nickname "Lightning 35" for his flight from NAS Patuxent River. He became the only pilot to fly all three variants of the X-35 and the F-35.{{r|Chen 2012}}{{r|Code One 2012}} On May 1, the 33rd FW welcomed VFA-101 to the training group as the US Navy's F-35C fleet replacement squadron.{{r|Allen 2012}} The first F-35B training sortie from Eglin occurred on May 22.{{r|Cuttita 2012}} At the end of 2012, the Integrated Training Facility passed an independent evaluation that allowed pilot training to start in 2013.{{r|Roganov 2012b}} In May 2013, VMFAT-501 celebrated the one-year anniversary operating the F-35B having completed over 800 training sorties—a large number that Tomassetti credited to the squadron's proficiency in techniques such as air-to-air refueling, ground hot refueling, and the ability to complete multi-aircraft missions.{{r|Roganov 2013}}

=== USMC retirement === In Tomassetti's four years as 33rd Fighter Wing vice commander,{{r|Hehs 2013}} 50 pilots and 722 maintainers graduated from the F-35 training center while the team grew to 1,900 personnel drawn from three US military services, multiple contractors, and a number of international partners.{{r|Cuttita 2013}} In addition to overseeing training activities, he continued to participate in the development of the F-35{{r|Hehs 2013}} and introduced improvements into the training syllabus such as taxi familiarization.{{r|Tomassetti 2013}} In June 2013, after twenty-seven years of service including 15 years with the F-35 program, Tomassetti retired from the Marine Corps{{r|Cuttita 2013}}{{r|SLD 2019}} as a command pilot with more than 3,200 flying hours in over 35 types of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft including the T{{nbh}}34C, T{{nbh}}2C, TA{{nbh}}4, AV{{nbh}}8B, T{{nbh}}38, F{{nbh}}16, F/A{{nbh}}18A{{nbh}}F, Vectored-thrust Aircraft Advanced-flight Control (VAAC) Harrier, EA{{nbh}}6B, Learjet 24, T{{nbh}}45, X{{nbh}}35A/B/C, Tornado GR1, F{{nbh}}4G, F{{nbh}}15, T{{nbh}}7, MiG{{nbh}}21, U{{nbh}}21F, P{{nbh}}3C, NU{{nbh}}1B, U{{nbh}}6A, AT{{nbh}}6, C{{nbh}}12A, DHC2, KC{{nbh}}130J, B{{nbh}}25, TH{{nbh}}6B, OH{{nbh}}58, and Gazelle.{{r|Tomassetti USMC Bio 2009}}

== Civilian career == === Lockheed Martin === thumb|left|Tomassetti after a flight in an F{{nbh}}35B in 2013 After retiring from the military in 2013, Tomassetti accepted a position at Lockheed Martin as the F-35 Marine Corps program manager.{{r|Shiner 2019}} His primary tasks were to deliver the F-35B to the fleet and ensure the F-35B reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) on time without undue risk. Adding to the challenge, the F-35B was the first of the three aircraft variants planned to reach the IOC milestone. The program was under considerable scrutiny by supporters and critics alike due to its large cost, and deviations from the plan could threaten the effort.{{r|Insinna 2015}} Despite the price tag, Tomassetti felt the aircraft's capabilities, such as improved data fusion and airborne networking, increased pilot effectiveness and were required to win future battles.{{r|SLD 2019}}{{r|Flowers 2012}}{{r|Wells 2014}} He sought ways to mitigate challenges to achieve the 2015 milestone. Reducing mistakes, Tomassetti reasoned, was key to completing the remaining tasks of finishing hardware modifications, updating to the combat-capable "2B" software, completing flight test, and finalizing the logistics and maintenance software.{{r|Insinna 2015}}

Tomassetti traveled to different sites throughout the United States to help solve problems and ensure progress was being made.{{r|Laird 2019|p=8}} MCAS Yuma was crucial due to its upcoming role in operational testing on board ship. MCAS Patuxent River was finishing its remaining tasks needed to complete the current phase of the program. VMFAT-501, which had moved back to MCAS Beaufort, North Carolina, in July 2014, continued to train pilots. Tomassetti was focused on meeting the Marine Corps' requirements for IOC.{{r|Laird 2019|p=9}} From his perspective as a military aviator, updates were necessary throughout any aircraft's service life. And his experience as a combat pilot showed that well-trained service members would adapt and succeed even if the aircraft was not ideally suited to the mission.{{r|Laird 2019|p=10}} Tomassetti noted that "It is not about tests; it is about mission success",{{r|Laird 2019|p=11}} and predicted "They are going to find out ways to do things with this airplane that we haven’t even thought of."{{r|Laird 2019|p=12}}

thumb|left|An F-35B is refueled on USS ''Wasp'' during OT-1 in 2015 To show the F-35 was sufficiently mature to deploy on a mission, known as initial operational capability to the US government, the F{{nbh}}35B needed to perform well on an exercise known as Operational Test 1 (OT-1). From Tomassetti's perspective, the task was to "figure out how best to operate the airplane on the ship" which would likely be much different than with legacy aircraft.{{r|SLD 2019}}{{r|Lockheed 2015}} OT-1 began on May 18, 2015, aboard the {{USS|Wasp|LHD-1}}, operating off the east coast of the United States,{{r|Hall 2015}} and lasted two weeks.{{r|Van Wagenen 2015}} The exercise made use of six F{{nbh}}35Bs from three different USMC units, evaluated the ability to operate the aircraft at sea, and included 24-hour flight operations, interaction between ship and aircraft electronics, and use of maintenance tools.{{r|Van Wagenen 2015}} OT-1 concluded and two months later, on July 31, 2015, the USMC declared the F-35B operationally capable{{r|Capaccio 2015}} rejecting issues raised by critics.{{r|Davenport 2015}} Tomassetti continued to work on the F-35B program through a number of key milestones including the first permanent basing of a fifth generation fighter squadron outside the United States in 2017,{{r|Polvorosa 2017}} the first F-35B operational deployment aboard a Navy ship in 2018,{{r|Yeo 2018}} and the first F{{nbh}}35B combat deployment in 2019.{{r|Fuentes 2019}} Tomassetti retired from Lockheed Martin in 2019 as a director and F-35 Marine Corps program manager.{{r|TWC 2015|p=6}}{{r|Flight Test Safety Bio}}

In April 2020, Lockheed announced that more than one thousand pilots and nine thousand maintainers had been certified by the F{{nbh}}35 training system.{{r|Lockheed 2020}}

=== Time2Climb === An enthusiastic speaker, Tomassetti presented aviation topics to many diverse groups including veterans,{{r|NFMOA 2011}} Civil Air Patrol,{{r|TWC 2015|p=5}} and NASA.{{r|Levine 2008}} In 2016, he formed Time2Climb Consulting to assist other companies improve team performance.{{r|Flight Test Safety Bio}}

==Personal life== thumb|Tomassetti (left) presents the SETP Tony LeVier Flight Test Safety Award in 2018|alt=|250x250px

=== Society of Experimental Test Pilots === In 2000, Tomassetti began a long association with the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), initially to improve his work proficiency.{{r|SETP Why Join}} He enjoyed working with the organization where he presented papers and attended workshops.{{r|SETP 2013}} In 2011, he chaired the SETP 55th annual awards banquet and organized the evening's entertainment, dubbed "TURBOtainment".{{r|Cockpit 2011}} Tomassetti's showmanship was so well-liked that he was invited to chair the annual banquet and organize the entertainment for an additional four years.{{r|SETP Program 2015}}{{r|SETP Program 2016}}{{r|SETP Program 2017}}{{r|SETP Program 2019}}

In 2013, he was inducted as a Fellow in the society{{r|SETP Fellows}} and was awarded the society's Tony LeVier Flight Test Safety Award.{{r|SETP Flight Safety}} In 2017, Tomassetti was elected president of the society for the 2017–2018 term. His goal for the organization was to ask members to commit to a task that would make a difference—present a paper, write an article, volunteer to support an event, recruit a new member, or recover a former member.{{r|SETP 2017 President}}

In 2018, Tomassetti was elected to the board of directors of the Flight Test Safety Committee,{{r|Flight Test Safety Board 2018}} an organization that promotes flight test safety and improves communication among flight test professionals.{{r|Flight Test Safety About 2020}} {{Asof|2019}}, he has flown more than forty types of aircraft.{{r|Flight Test Safety Bio}}

Tomassetti is married and has two children.{{r|TWC 2015|p=6}} {{clear}}

==Awards and decorations== Tomassetti was awarded the following decorations for his military service.{{r|Tomassetti USMC Bio 2009}}

{| align="center" |- |colspan="3" align="center" |200px |- |colspan="3" align="center" |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |colspan="3" align="center" |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|other_device=v|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -97px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">20px</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -28px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">17px</span> {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ribbon|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=U.S. Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991–2016).svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|other_device=|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |colspan="3" align="center"|150px 150px |- |} {| class="wikitable" |- !Badge |colspan="12" align="center" |Naval Aviator Badge |- !Row 1 |colspan="6" align="center" |Legion of Merit |colspan="6" align="center" |Defense Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 oak leaf cluster |- !Row 2 |colspan="4" align="center" |Meritorious Service Medal |colspan="4" align="center" |Air Medal w/ 1 service star, Combat "V", and Strike/Flight numeral "3" |colspan="4" align="center" |Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ award star |- !Row 3 |colspan="4" align="center" |Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal |colspan="4" align="center" |Navy Unit Commendation |colspan="4" align="center" |Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation |- !Row 4 |colspan="4" align="center" |National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star |colspan="4" align="center" |Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ 2 service stars |colspan="4" align="center" |Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |- !Row 5 |colspan="4" align="center" |Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 2 service stars |colspan="4" align="center" |Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) |colspan="4" align="center" |Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) |- !Badge |colspan="6" align="center"|Rifle Expert badge (3 awards) |colspan="6" align="center"|Pistol Expert badge |- |}

== Effective dates of promotion == Tomassetti's USMC promotion dates are shown in the following table.{{r|Tomassetti USMC Bio 2009}}

{| class="wikitable right" width="auto" style="text-align: center; margin: 1em auto;" |+ Promotions ! Insignia !! Rank !! Date |- ||40px||Colonel||August 1, 2007 |- ||28px||Lieutenant Colonel||April 1, 2002 |- ||28px||Major||August 1, 1996 |- ||28px||Captain||November 1, 1990 |- ||10px||First Lieutenant||April 7, 1988 |- ||10px||Second Lieutenant||June 13, 1986 |}

==References== {{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="Allen 2012">{{cite web |last=Allen |first=Ens. Elizabeth |title=Navy's Newest Squadron Prepares for New F-35 Fighters |url= https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=66309 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130613120309/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=66309 |url-status= dead |archive-date= June 13, 2013 |date= April 5, 2012 |website=United States Navy |access-date= March 26, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Anderson 2012">{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Cpl Chelsea |title=F-35 opens the door to true cooperation of forces |url= https://www.dvidshub.net/news/93931/f-35-opens-door-true-cooperation-forces |date= August 28, 2012 |website= Defense Visual Information Distribution System |publisher= United States Air Force |access-date= March 27, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Arrington 2010">{{cite web |url=https://www.marines.mil/unit/mcascherrypoint/Pages/Historyinthemaking.aspx |title=History in the making: First F-35B Lightning II squadron stands up |last=Arrington |first=PFC Samantha H. |date=April 15, 2010 |publisher=United States Marine Corps |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629160502/http://www.marines.mil/unit/mcascherrypoint/Pages/Historyinthemaking.aspx |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 1, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Axe 2012">{{cite magazine |last=Axe |first=David |title=Trillion-Dollar Stealth Fighter Cleared for Flight Training |url= https://www.wired.com/2012/02/stealth-fighter-training/ |date= February 29, 2012 |magazine= Wired |access-date= March 28, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Baker 2001">{{cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=William T. |last2=Evans |first2=Mark L. |date=July–August 2001 |title=The Year in Review 2000: Part II |journal=Naval Aviation News |volume=83 |issue=5 |page=28 |publisher=Naval Historical Center |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation-history/naval-aviation-news/back-issues/2000/2001/july-august.html |access-date=March 25, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Bevilaqua 2009">{{cite journal |last= Bevilaqua |first= Paul M. |date=November–December 2009 |title= Genesis of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter |journal=Journal of Aircraft |volume=46 |issue=6 |page=1835 |publisher=American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics |doi=10.2514/1.42903 }}</ref>

<ref name="Brown 2009">{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Leslie |title=Eglin wing transitions to become first F-35 training unit |url= https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/118938/eglin-wing-transitions-to-become-first-f-35-training-unit/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200326211258/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/118938/eglin-wing-transitions-to-become-first-f-35-training-unit/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= March 26, 2020 |date= October 5, 2009 |website=United States Air Force |access-date= March 26, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Capaccio 2015">{{cite news |url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-31/u-s-marines-declare-lockheed-s-f-35b-ready-for-limited-combat |url-access= subscription |title= U.S. Marines Declare Lockheed's F-35B Ready for Limited Combat |first1=Tony |last1=Capaccio |first2=Julie |last2=Johnsson |date=July 31, 2015 |work=Bloomberg |access-date=April 23, 2023}}</ref>

<ref name="Chen 2012">{{cite news |last=Chen |first=Victor |title=Flight Pattern: First military test pilot to fly the X-35, F-35 |url=https://www.dcmilitary.com/tester/news/local/flight-pattern-first-military-test-pilot-to-fly-the-x-35-f-35/article_27ee9b3d-1916-568a-b3b0-bbb3e1035c96.html |date= May 31, 2012 |newspaper= Tester |publisher=APG Media of Chesapeake, LLC |location=Easton, Maryland |access-date= April 19, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Code One 2000">{{cite web |title=X-35 Test Pilot 3 - USMC Maj. Art Tomassetti |url= http://www.codeonemagazine.com/gallery_slideshow.html?item_id=2342 |date=November 10, 2000 |website= Code One |publisher= Lockheed Martin |access-date= March 26, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Code One 2012">{{cite web |title=Lightning 35 - USMC Col. Art Tomassetti |url= http://www.codeonemagazine.com/gallery_slideshow.html?item_id=2342 |date=April 3, 2012 |website= Code One |publisher= Lockheed Martin |access-date= March 26, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Cuttita 2012">{{cite web |last=Cuttita |first=Chrissy |title=F-35B lifts off for first flight at Eglin |url=https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/391336/f-35b-lifts-off-for-first-flight-at-eglin/ |website=Eglin Air Force Base |publisher=United States Air Force |date=May 22, 2012 |access-date= April 1, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Cuttita 2013">{{cite web |last=Cuttita |first=Chrissy |title=New senior leadership takes charge of 33rd Fighter Wing |url= https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/391030/new-senior-leadership-takes-charge-of-33rd-fighter-wing/ |date= June 14, 2013 |website=Eglin Air Force Base |publisher=United States Air Force |access-date= March 26, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Davenport 2015">{{cite news |last= Davenport |first=Christian |title= Pentagon weapons tester calls F-35 evaluation into question |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/09/15/pentagon-weapons-tester-calls-f-35-evaluation-into-question/ |date=September 15, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date= April 2, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Defense Aerospace 2001">{{cite web |author=Lockheed Martin |title= Lockheed Martin's Navy JSF Flies 2,500 Miles To Patuxent River for Carrier-Suitability Testing |url= http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/4405/carrier-suitability-tests-for-lockheed-jsf-%28feb.-12%29.html |date=February 10, 2001 |website= defense-aerospace.com |access-date= March 31, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Eglin 2012">{{cite web |title=F-35 first flight in photos |url=https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/391415/f-35-first-flight-in-photos/ |website=Eglin Air Force Base |publisher=United States Air Force |date=March 7, 2012 |access-date= April 1, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Flight Test Safety About 2020">{{cite web |title=Origin and Charter of the Flight Test Safety Committee |url=http://www.flighttestsafety.org/about-ftsc |website=Flight Test Safety Committee |date=2020 |access-date=April 13, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Flight Test Safety Bio">{{cite web |title=Flight Test Safety Tomassetti Biography |url=http://www.flighttestsafety.org/about-ftsc/directors/77-about-ftsc/board-of-directors/193-art-tomassetti |website=Flight Test Safety Committee |date=2019 |access-date=March 28, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Flight Test Safety Board 2018">{{cite web |title=Flight Test Safety Board of Directors |url=http://www.flighttestsafety.org/about-ftsc/directors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023221043/http://www.flighttestsafety.org/about-ftsc/directors |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |url-status=live |website=Flight Test Safety Committee |date=October 2018 |access-date=April 13, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Flowers 2012">{{cite web |last=Flowers |first=Cpl. Chelsea |title=An Inside Look at the F-35 Lightning II |url=http://marines.dodlive.mil/2012/07/11/an-inside-look-at-the-f-35-lightning-ii/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130909170622/http://marines.dodlive.mil/2012/07/11/an-inside-look-at-the-f-35-lightning-ii/ |archive-date=September 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |website=Marines Blog |publisher=United States Marine Corps |date=July 11, 2012 |access-date= April 20, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Fuentes 2019">{{cite news |last= Fuentes |first= Gidget |title=First Marine F-35B Combat Deployment Hints at New Roles for Amphibious Ready Group |url=https://news.usni.org/2019/02/27/first-marine-f-35b-combat-deployment-hints-at-new-roles-for-amphibious-ready-group |date=February 27, 2019 |newspaper=USNI News |access-date=April 23, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Garamone 2001">{{cite web |last= Garamone |first=Jim |title=Lockheed-Martin Team Wins Joint Strike Fighter Competition |url= https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=106 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200421222535/https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=106 |url-status= dead |archive-date= April 21, 2020 |date=October 29, 2001 |website= Navy News Service |publisher= United States Navy |access-date= March 25, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Hall 2015">{{cite web |last=Hall |first=Lance Cpl. Remington |title=USMC OT-1 Kicks Off With Lightning II Aircraft Landing Aboard USS Wasp |url=https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/589178/usmc-ot-1-kicks-off-with-lightning-ii-aircraft-landing-aboard-uss-wasp/ |website=United States Marine Corps |date=May 19, 2015 |access-date=April 13, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Hanson 2014">{{cite web |last1=Hanson |first1=Curt |last2=Schaefer |first2=Jacob |last3=Burken |first3=John J. |last4=Larson |first4=David |last5=Johnson |first5=Marcus |title=Complexity and Pilot Workload Metrics for the Evaluation of Adaptive Flight Controls on a Full Scale Piloted Aircraft |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20140005730.pdf |publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration |date=February 2014 |access-date=April 10, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Hat Trick 2020">{{cite web |title=Hat Trick Definition |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/hat-trick |website=Cambridge Dictionary |publisher=Cambridge University Press |date=2020 |access-date=April 9, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Hehs 2013">{{cite web |last=Hehs |first=Eric |title=Ten Questions For Turbo Tomassetti |url= https://www.codeonemagazine.com/article.html?item_id=122 |date= August 22, 2013 |website= Code One |publisher= Lockheed Martin |access-date= March 26, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Hounsfield 2008">{{cite book |last=Hounsfield |first=Christopher |date=2008 |title=Trailblazers: Test Pilots in Action |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8bTNDwAAQBAJ&q=Tomassetti&pg=PP1 |location=Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Great Britain |publisher=Pen and Sword Aviation |chapter=Chapter 7: Art Tomassetti - X-35B 'X' Marks the Mission |isbn=9781844685738}}</ref>

<ref name="Insinna 2015">{{cite web |last=Insinna |first=Valerie |title=Important Tests Loom for Navy and Marine Corps F-35 |url=https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2015/1/31/2015february-important-tests-loom-for-navy-and-marine-corps-f35 |website=National Defense |publisher=National Defense Industrial Association |location=Arlington, Virginia |date=February 1, 2015 |access-date= April 1, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Jenkins 2001">{{cite book |last=Jenkins |first=Dennis R. |title=Lockheed Secret Projects : Inside the Skunk Works |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DUkl5bH6k6EC |isbn= 9781610607285 |date=2001 |page=86 |publisher=Zenith Imprint |access-date= March 31, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Kenney 2019">{{cite news |last =Kenney |first= Caitlin |title=Service of Marine Corps' Prowler comes to a close with deactivation of last squadron |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/us/service-of-marine-corps-prowler-comes-to-a-close-with-deactivation-of-last-squadron-1.571517 |newspaper=Stars and Stripes |publisher= National Tribune Corporation |date=March 5, 2019 |access-date= April 22, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="King 2011">{{cite web |last=King Jr. |first=Samuel |title=First F-35 arrives at Eglin |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/112801/first-f-35-arrives-at-eglin/ |website=United States Air Force |date=July 15, 2011 |access-date= April 1, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Laird 2019">{{cite web |last=Laird |first=Robbin |title=The Warlords and the F-35 |url=https://defense.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/The-Warloards-and-the-F-35.pdf |date= May 6, 2019 |website= Defense.Info |access-date= April 3, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Levine 2008">{{cite web |last=Levine |first=Jay |title=Safety Lessons |url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/X-Press/safety_lessons_spotlight.html |website=National Aeronautics and Space Administration |date=September 28, 2013 |access-date= April 3, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Lockheed 2001">{{cite web |title=First Marine Corps Pilot Hovers In JSF X-35B; An Aviator's 'Dream' |url=https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2001-06-29-First-Marine-Corps-Pilot-Hovers-in-JSF-X-35B-An-Aviators-Dream |date= June 29, 2001 |website= Lockheed Martin |access-date= April 3, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Lockheed 2015">{{cite web |title= Your F-35B OT-1 Questions, Answered |url= https://www.f35.com/in-depth/detail/your-f-35b-ot-1-questions-answered |date=May 20, 2015 |website=f35.com |publisher= Lockheed Martin |access-date= April 2, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Lockheed 2019">{{cite web |title= The Hat Trick History: Mission X |url= https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/2019-features/the-hat-trick-history--mission-x-.html |date=2019 |website= Lockheed Martin |access-date= March 31, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Lockheed 2020">{{cite web |title=Preparing Pilots and Maintainers |url=https://f35.com/about/life-cycle/training?linkId=100000011786197&fbclid=IwAR3ejvNhaS-IqbLvrFqrlNc8fLNOHcDL6W_akUl3QNsYGBBbEezlG_OWioQ |date= April 2020 |website=f35.com |publisher=Lockheed Martin |access-date= April 16, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="MADPR 2007">{{cite web |title=Marine Aviation Detachment Patuxent River |url=http://www.navair.navy.mil/mad/VISION.HTM |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070605223027/http://www.navair.navy.mil/mad/VISION.HTM |archive-date=June 5, 2007 |publisher=United States Marine Corps |access-date=March 28, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="NASA Early Ast">{{cite web |last=Dumoulin |first=Jim |title=Early Astronaut Selection and Training |url=https://science.ksc.nasa.gov/history/early-astronauts.txt |website=Historical Archive, Space History |publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration |date=August 25, 2000 |access-date=April 6, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="NASC 2012">{{cite web |author=Naval Air Systems Command |title= NAVAIR Flight Crew: Col. Art Tomassetti |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZDk_JZHsUA |date= May 23, 2012 |website=YouTube |access-date=April 13, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="NFMOA 2011">{{cite web |title=Past Speaker Presentations 2011 |url=http://nwfmoa.org/upcoming_speakers.html |website=Northwest Florida Military Officers Association |date=2011 |access-date=April 4, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Nordeen 2012">{{cite book |last=Nordeen |first=Lon |title=AV-8B Harrier II Units of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4MfvCwAAQBAJ |isbn= 9781782008385 |date= December 20, 2012 |chapter=Chapter 3, VMA-542 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |access-date= March 30, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Polvorosa 2017">{{cite web |last= Polvorosa |first= Gunnery Sgt. Christine |title=VMFA-121 makes its maiden voyage to Japan |url=https://www.3rdmaw.marines.mil/News/News-Article-Display/Article/1057236/vmfa-121-makes-its-maiden-voyage-to-japan/ |date=January 23, 2017 |website=3rd Marine Aircraft Wing |publisher=United States Marine Corps |access-date=April 23, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Roganov 2012a">{{cite web |last=Roganov |first=Major Karen |title=F-35 training center begins formal training |url=https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/391376/f-35-training-center-begins-formal-training/ |website=Eglin Air Force Base |publisher=United States Air Force |date=April 11, 2012 |access-date= April 1, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Roganov 2012b">{{cite web |last=Roganov |first=Major Karen |title=AETC declares Eglin ready for F-35 training |url=https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/391169/aetc-declares-eglin-ready-for-f-35-training/ |website=Eglin Air Force Base |publisher=United States Air Force |date=December 17, 2012 |access-date= April 1, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Roganov 2013">{{cite magazine |last=Roganov |first=Major Karen |title=Marines Celebrate One Year Anniversary of F-35B |url= https://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/05/30/marines-celebrate-one-year-anniversary-of-f-35b.html |date= May 30, 2013 |magazine= Marine Corps News |publisher=United States Marine Corps |access-date= March 28, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Santy 2012">{{cite web |last=Santy |first= Lance Cpl. Glen E. |title=Marine Corps aviation introduces F-35B Lightning II into fleet |url= https://www.dvidshub.net/news/84324/marine-corps-aviation-introduces-f-35b-lightning-ii-into-fleet |date= February 24, 2012 |website= Defense Visual Information Distribution System |publisher= United States Air Force |access-date= March 26, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Schneider 2001">{{cite news |last=Schneider |first=Greg |title=Wings of a Gamble |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/2001/07/26/wings-of-a-gamble/dad085f3-3735-452c-bd15-7237aa5e9758/ |date= July 26, 2001 |newspaper= The Washington Post |access-date= March 28, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Secrets 2003">{{cite AV media |people=Ray Dean Mize (producer) |title=Secrets of Future Air Power |minutes=14:00 |date= 2003 |medium=DVD |publisher=Discovery HD }}</ref>

<ref name="SLD 2019">{{cite web |author=Second Line of Defense |title='Turbo' Tomassetti Reflects on the Future of the F-35: And Looks Back at the Past Thirty Years |url=https://defense.info/interview-of-the-week/turbo-tomassetti-reflects-on-the-future-of-the-f-35-and-looks-back-at-the-past-thirty-years/ |date= February 7, 2019 |website= defense.info |access-date= March 30, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="SETP 2013">{{cite book |title=57th Awards Banquet |website=Society of Experimental Test Pilots |date=September 28, 2013 }}</ref>

<ref name="SETP 2017 President">{{cite web |last=Tomassetti |first=Art |title=Message From the President |url=https://www.setp.org/presidents-message/september-2017-president-s-message.html |website=Society of Experimental Test Pilots |date=September 2017 |access-date= April 3, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="SETP Fellows">{{cite web |title=SETP Fellow Classes |url=https://www.setp.org/setp-personnel/fellow-classes.html |website=Society of Experimental Test Pilots |access-date= April 1, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="SETP Flight Safety">{{cite web |title=Tony LeVier Flight Test Safety Recipients |url=https://www.setp.org/winners/tony-levier-flight-test-safety-recipients.html |website=Society of Experimental Test Pilots |access-date= April 1, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="SETP Program 2015">{{cite web |title=Program for the 59th Symposium and Awards Banquet |url=https://www.setp.org/images/2015_Symposium_Program.pub.pdf |website=Society of Experimental Test Pilots |date=September 23, 2015 |access-date=April 3, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="SETP Program 2016">{{cite web |title=Program for the 60th Symposium and Awards Banquet |url=https://www.setp.org/images/2016_Symposium_Program.pdf |website=Society of Experimental Test Pilots |date=September 21, 2016 |access-date=April 3, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="SETP Program 2017">{{cite web |title=Program for the 61st Symposium and Awards Banquet |url=https://www.setp.org/images/2017_Symposium_Program.pdf |website=Society of Experimental Test Pilots |date=September 20, 2017 |access-date=April 3, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="SETP Program 2019">{{cite web |title=Program for the 63rd Symposium and Awards Banquet |url=https://www.setp.org/images/2019_Symposium_Program.pdf |website=Society of Experimental Test Pilots |date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=April 3, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="SETP Why Join">{{cite web |last=Tomassetti |first=Art |title=Why Join SETP? |url=https://www.setp.org/about-setp/join-setp-3.html |website=Society of Experimental Test Pilots |access-date= April 1, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Shalal-Esa 2012">{{cite news |last=Shalal-Esa |first=Andrea |title=US Marines near start of F-35 fighter training flights |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/lockheed-fighter/us-marines-near-start-of-f-35-fighter-training-flights-idUSL2E8DP08Y20120225 |date= February 24, 2012 |newspaper= Reuters |access-date= March 28, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Shiner 2019">{{cite magazine |last= Shiner |first= Linda |title= F-35: What The Pilots Say: Firsthand accounts of flying the world's most advanced fighter |url= https://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/f-35-faces-most-critical-test-180971734/ |date=April 2019 |magazine= Air & Space Magazine |publisher= National Air and Space Museum |access-date= March 25, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Simonsen 2016">{{cite book |last=Simonsen |first=Erik |title=Complete History of U.S. Combat Aircraft: Winners, Losers, and What Might Have Been |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cPs6DAAAQBAJ |isbn= 9781580072274 |date= June 15, 2016 |pages=200–4 |publisher=Specialty Press |location=Forest Lake, Minnesota |access-date= March 31, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Skunk Works Podcast S1E4">{{cite web |title=Behind the Episodes: Season 1, Episode 4: Hat Trick |url=https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are/business-areas/aeronautics/skunkworks/insideskunkworks.html#episode4 |website=Inside Skunk Works |publisher=Lockheed Martin |access-date= March 31, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Smith 2007">{{cite magazine |last=Smith Jr. |first=W. Thomas |title=More Fighter than Pilot |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2007/01/more-fighter-pilot-w-thomas-smith-jr/ |date= January 15, 2007 |magazine= National Review |access-date= April 3, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Tirpak 2008">{{cite magazine |last=Tirpak |first=John A. |title=Scoping Out the New Strike Fighter |url=https://www.airforcemag.com/article/1098strike/ |date= July 15, 2008 |magazine= Air Force Magazine |access-date= April 3, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Tomassetti 2002">{{cite magazine |last= Tomassetti |first= Major Arthur |title= Above & Beyond: Mission X |url= https://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/above-amp-beyond-mission-x-27960302/ |date=May 2002 |magazine= Air & Space Magazine |publisher= National Air and Space Museum |access-date= March 27, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Tomassetti 2013">{{cite magazine |last= Tomassetti |first= Art |title= The Making of a Joint Strike Fighter Pilot: Welcome to the fifth generation |url= https://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/the-making-of-a-joint-strike-fighter-pilot-7943229/ |date=November 2013 |magazine= Air & Space Magazine |publisher= National Air and Space Museum |access-date= March 31, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Tomassetti USMC Bio 2009">{{cite web |title=Tomassetti USMC Biography |url= https://www.airforcemag.com/PDF/SiteCollectionDocuments/Reports/2010/April%202010/Day06/Tomassetti.pdf |date= October 2009 |website=Air Force Magazine |publisher=United States Marine Corps |access-date= March 26, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="TWC 2015">{{cite web |title=Texas Wing Conference 2015 |url=https://www.txwgcap.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Wing-Conf-Publication-2015-FINAL-for-Print-03-26-20151.pdf |website=Civil Air Patrol |date=April 16, 2015 |access-date=April 4, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Van Wagenen 2015">{{cite web |last=Van Wagenen |first=Juliet |title=US Marine Corps Jump Starts F-35B Operational Trials |url=https://www.aviationtoday.com/2015/05/27/us-marine-corps-jump-starts-f-35b-operational-trials/ |website=Avionics Today |publisher=Access Intelligence, LLC |date=May 27, 2015 |access-date=April 13, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Vogel 2001">{{cite news |last=Vogel |first=Steve |title=Jet Testing Has Pax River in a Fighting Mood |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2001/02/22/jet-testing-has-pax-river-in-a-fighting-mood/db0fc58f-a71b-452b-b343-92bd190031ab/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 22, 2001 |access-date=April 14, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Wells 2014">{{cite web |last=Wells |first=Jane |title=The US jet fighter that can do it all—maybe |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/05/13/f-35-the-future-for-the-worlds-most-advanced-aircraft.html |website=CNBC |date=May 13, 2014 |access-date=April 14, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Wetzel 2012">{{cite web |last= Wetzel |first= Cpl. Daniel |title= F-35 Makes Its Mark in Marine Corps, Air Force |url= https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/News/News-Article-Display/Article/553274/f-35-makes-its-mark-in-marine-corps-air-force/ |date=October 17, 2012 |website= United States Marine Corps |access-date= March 25, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Wright 2010a">{{cite web |last=Wright |first=Ashley M. |title=Marine takes helm of Air Force wing |url= https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/262292/marine-takes-helm-of-air-force-wing/ |date=January 27, 2010 |website= Air Education and Training Command |publisher= United States Air Force |access-date= March 25, 2020}}</ref>

<ref name="Wright 2010b">{{cite journal |last=Wright |first=Ashley M. |volume=68 |issue=23 |title=New tech-advanced classroom awaits F-35 students |url= https://www.dvidshub.net/publication/issues/6741 |date= June 10, 2010 |journal= The Windsock |page=A2 |publisher= United States Marine Corps |access-date= March 26, 2020}}</ref> <ref name="Cockpit 2011">{{cite journal |title=55th Annual Symposium & Banquet Report |url= https://secure.whoglue.net/Magazines/July-December2011.pdf |journal=Cockpit |date=July–December 2011 |publisher=Society of Experimental Test Pilots |pages=75–83 |access-date=March 28, 2020 }}</ref>

<ref name="Yeo 2018">{{cite news |last= Yeo |first= Mike |title=First F-35B shipboard deployment to begin as US warship arrives in Japan |url=https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2018/01/16/first-f-35b-shipboard-deployment-to-begin-as-us-warship-arrives-in-japan/ |date=January 16, 2018 |newspaper=Defense News |access-date=April 23, 2020}}</ref>

}}

==Attribution== :{{US Air Force}} :{{Marine Corps}} :{{USNAVY}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{cite web |title=Lt Col Art Tomassetti 1964- |url=http://thetartanterror.blogspot.com/2006/11/lt-col-art-tomassetti-1964.html |date= November 21, 2006 |website= Test & Research Pilots, Flight Test Engineers |publisher= The Tartan Terror |access-date= March 26, 2020}} *{{cite news |last=Scully |first=Sean |title=They Served With Honor: Danger in the skies over Kuwait |url=https://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/they-served-with-honor-danger-in-the-skies-over-kuwait/article_f4f0339a-60b8-5868-8a2a-05cd30dc7005.html |date= August 25, 2019 |newspaper= Napa Valley Register |access-date= April 4, 2020}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tomassetti, Art}} Category:1964 births Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Gulf War Category:American test pilots Category:Aviators from New York (state) Category:Living people Category:Military personnel from New York (state) Category:Northwestern University alumni Category:People from Port Chester, New York Category:Recipients of the Air Medal Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States) Category:United States Naval Test Pilot School alumni Category:University of Tennessee alumni Category:United States Marine Corps officers