James Payne

Member, Interagency Underwater Port Assessment (IUPA) Team
Mine Countermeasures Group Three (MCMGRU3)

James served in a helicopter squadron during Desert Storm for the United States Marine Corps. After his service, he became a Commercial Diver where he began learning about marine technology and the challenges that came along with working underwater. In 2013 James started contracting for the military and was tasked with the development, implementation, management, and ultimately turnover of the MK-18 UUV Basic Operator and Maintainer Course to the U.S. Navy. Once turnover was complete in 2018, he went on to create a similar program for Naval Special Warfare who would use similar vehicles for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Recognizance (ISR) efforts instead of mine hunting and Mine Countmeasures (MCM).

Currently, James works for Bowhead in support of Mine Countermeasures Group Three (MCMGRU3) as a member of the Interagency Underwater Port Assessment (IUPA) Team. His current duties involve port assessments, exercise planning, and relationship building between MCMGRU3 and just over 70 key waterways of the United States for the purpose of responding to underwater explosive threats.