Airscoop Compiled by Andrea Watters and Rob Perry
Ninth Air Boss Assumes Command of Naval Air Forces
U.S. Navy photo
Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, right, relieved Vice Adm. DeWolfe Miller III, left, as Commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Oct. 2 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as Adm. John Aquilino, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, presided over the change of command.
SAN DIEGO, Calif.—Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell relieved Vice Adm. DeWolfe Miller III to become Commander, Naval Air Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet during a ceremony Oct. 2 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. The event was also a retirement ceremony for Miller who was presented with the Distinguished Service Medal after a career spanning more than 39 years of distinguished service. In his remarks, Miller described his career in the Navy through the perspective of an aircraft carrier pilot departing on an operational mission. “All strapped in, engines started, avionics all set up; I know the checklist by heart,” he said. Miller also voiced his appreciation for aviation maintenance and support personnel who “without fanfare, climb all over aircraft under the most extreme conditions to ensure they (the aircraft) are 8
ready and safe, so our Navy can accomplish its mission from the sea. Their work is never done, but it is always well done.” Turning to Whitesell and his wife, Miller said, “Kenny and Melody, you’re inheriting an amazing team … you are the perfect couple to lead Naval Aviation into the future.” Whitesell said, “It is an honor to become the ninth ‘Air Boss.’ The list of those who have served under the title of Air Boss … remain the titans of Naval Aviation.” “Our people remain the competitive advantage,” said Whitesell, who also said he will ensure Naval Aviation continues to focus on “superiority in aerial combat execution and coordination across multiple domains.” Adm. John Aquilino, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, presided over the ceremony and expressed his gratitude to Miller and Whitesell for the opportunity to “celebrate this event with two of my closest friends in the Navy.”
When addressing Miller’s character and accomplishments, Aquilino said, “When I hear Adm. DeWolfe Miller’s name, here’s what I think of: a proven lethal combat pilot, commander of a U.S. aircraft carrier as a captain and as a strike group commander, husband, father, family man, mentor, leader and friend … Because of your rigorous, tireless commitment, the Navy is in a better place today.” Whitesell previously served as deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet and has completed operational assignments with F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Super Hornet squadrons, and commanded Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65), and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2 aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). Whitesell is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and participated in operations Desert Shield, Southern Watch, Deliberate Guard/Allied Force, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve. He has accumulated more than 4,000 flight hours and 1,000 aircraft carrier landings. Miller closed his comments by describing the end of his naval career as if he was preparing to land on the carrier flight deck. “Let’s make this last one look really good,” he said. From Commander, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs. Naval Aviation News
