Biography

Thomas P. Phelan was raised in Moraga, California, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He was designated a Naval Aviator in April 1981 and completed several fleet tours flying the A-6E Intruder, including combat missions during Operation Desert Storm.

Phelan earned a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and completed test pilot training at Patuxent River, Maryland.

During his Navy career, Phelan served as Commanding Officer of Electronic Attack Squadron 140 (VAQ-140) and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) at Patuxent River. He also served as Program Manager for Aircrew Systems (PMA-202) and concluded his naval career as Commander, Naval Test Wing Atlantic, overseeing numerous aircraft test and evaluation programs. He retired from the Navy in February 2006.

Following his retirement, Phelan joined KBR—previously Wyle and KBRwyle—in Southern Maryland, supporting test and evaluation efforts at Patuxent River. He served as the company’s Flight Director and Director of the Air Vehicle Operating Unit. He also served as Program Manager for the company’s Aircrew contract, providing flight crews to test squadrons and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School until September 2025.

Phelan is married, has three grown children, and resides in Hollywood, Maryland.