Aerial Ceremony Installs Cmdr. Erin E. Flint

The U.S. Navy's VFA 131, the Wildcats, have held a change of command for their new Commander Erin E. Flint, of Gloversville, New York. She assumed responsibilities from previous commander Samuel P. Morrison, of Lexington, Illinois during an aerial changing of command event. 

While he lead VFA 131, Commander Morrison saw the Wildcats through a series of back-to-back deployments on the USS Eisenhower, netting the Battle E award for their accomplishments. Morrison felt confident in handing over his unit to "one of his best friends in the U.S. Navy, saying Flint will do an incredible job with VFA 131. 

Commander Flint was commissioned into the Navy in 2002, designated a naval aviator in 2004. She completed her initial F/A-18E/F training with VFA-122 in Lemoore, California, then joined the colocated VFA-115 in 2005 where she deployed with the Talons aboard the USS Reagan in support of Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. In 2008 she became a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor, then CAT Other Coordinator, AV/ARM Division Officer, and Demonstration Team Coordinator. 

In 2011 her career saw a pivot into Assistant Ops Officer at Carrier Air Wing Nine, where she deployed aboard the USS Stennis for New Dawn and Enduring Freedom. Two years later saw a transition to VFA-151 as a Department Head for the Vigilantes, where she worked as admin, safety, maintenance, and ops officer for the squadron's transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet. Since 2015, Commander Flint has been attached to AFRICOM in Stuttgart, Germany, working as a Crisis and Joint Action Planner.

“I am excited to work with the ‘Wildcat’ team,” said Flint. “We have an amazing group of people. They have been resilient and fantastic. It is an absolute pleasure to work with them.”

FMI: www.airlant.usff.navy.mil