U.S. Navy’s strike test squadron changes command
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 changed command during a ceremony on Oct. 1 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland, where Cmdr. Sean Delaney assumed leadership from Cmdr. Eric Zilberman.
Naval Test Wing Atlantic Commodore Capt. Daniel Kitts presided over the ceremony.
"Cmdr. Zilberman has led VX-23 with dedication and strengthened its legacy of excellence in flight test," said Kitts. "Cmdr. Delaney brings the experience, expertise, and leadership to build on that foundation and lead the Salty Dogs into their next chapter."
Delaney assumes command after serving as VX-23’s chief test pilot. Zilberman will retire after two decades of service.
“Test and evaluation is where we turn ideas and requirements into capabilities that our warfighters can trust,” said Delaney. “I’m honored to lead the Salty Dogs and build on the team’s legacy of rigorous flight test, technical excellence, and service to the fleet.”
Delaney, a Damascus, Maryland native and U.S. Naval Academy graduate, is an EA-18G Growler pilot with extensive operational and developmental flight test experience. After earning his wings in 2012, he flew with Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139, serving in multiple leadership roles and deploying aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In 2015, he was selected to attend U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS), graduating with Class 151 before serving as a project officer at VX-23, where he conducted test and evaluation of F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft and weapons systems. While at VX-23, he earned a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and was named the Naval Test Wing Atlantic’s 2019 Test Pilot of the Year. He later served as a department head with VAQ-140, deploying aboard USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) in support of U.S. European Command, before joining the Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer community and returning to VX-23. He has served as the squadron’s chief test pilot since 2025.
"Commanding the Salty Dogs has been one of the greatest honors of my career – I’m proud of what this team has accomplished and grateful for the dedication and professionalism they bring to every test,” said Zilberman. “I leave knowing VX-23 is in capable hands and confident that this extraordinary team will continue making significant contributions to naval aviation."
Zilberman, a Belmont, California native and U.S. Naval Academy graduate, has more than 2,000 military and civilian flight hours in 28 aircraft. After earning his wings in 2008, he flew the F/A-18 Hornet with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34, completing two combat deployments and 40 combat missions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. In 2012, he was selected to attend USNTPS, graduating with Class 143 in 2013 before serving as a test pilot at VX-23 where he led more than 20 test efforts. He later served with VFA-37 as a department head, completing a third combat deployment and 19 combat missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, before transitioning to the Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer and Acquisition Corps communities. He returned to VX-23 in 2024 as chief test pilot and has been serving as commanding officer since 2025.
VX-23 is a component of Naval Test Wing Atlantic, the test wing under the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. Nicknamed the “Salty Dogs,” the squadron is instrumental in providing aircraft, pilot assets, maintenance services, and safety oversight to advance Naval aviation capabilities.
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