Airborne Change Of Command Ceremony Conducted December 5

The Gunslingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 conducted an airborne change of command ceremony above the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, Dec. 5.

Cmdr. Mitchell McCallister relieved Cmdr. Andrew Mariner as commanding officer while flying F/A-18E Super Hornets.

Mariner, a 2000 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and Fargo, N.D. native, thanked the squadron for their hard work.

"I'm humbled to have been able to serve as part of the finest strike-fighter squadron in the fleet," Mariner said. "It is the Sailors of VFA-105 that make the command great and will continue to make it great well into the future. Quiet professionalism is their hallmark. The Gunslingers have been my family for the past two and a half years, and my command tour has been the highlight of my career."

Mariner is slated to be the operations officer at Naval Air Warfare Development Center at Naval Air Station Fallon.

A 1998 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and native of Shreveport, La., McCallister was humbled to begin his command tour of the Gunslingers and expressed gratitude for the support he received leading up to this career milestone.

"This was a very special way to assume command because it showcased the incredible teamwork that is the hallmark of naval aviation," McCallister said. "The combined efforts of Ike and Gunslinger Sailors allowed me to enjoy this milestone from the best seat in the house. I am honored and humbled to be called 'Skipper' by the incredibly talented men and women of VFA-105. If not for the thoughtful mentorship of so many Sailors, chiefs and officers, as well as the endless love and support from my wife and my daughters, today would not have been possible."

Cmdr. Erik Stinson assumed duties as the squadron's executive officer.

VFA-105 is part of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG), which is comprised of Ike, CSG-10 staff, the squadrons and staff of CVW-3, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 staff, guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61), and the DESRON 26 ships: guided-missile destroyers USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94).

Ike CSG is deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

(Image provided with U.S. Navy news release)

FMI: www.navy.mil