VAW-121 changes command in the Mediterranean

FromCarrierStrikeGroup10

MEDITERRANEAN SEA Cmdr

Matthew “Toe” Campbell relieved Cmdr Robert “Sluggo” Whitmore as commanding officer of Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 121. The change of command ceremony took place above the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS GeorgeH.W.Bush(CVN77)duringascheduleddeploymentintheU.S.SixthFleetarea of operations, March 16, 2023 Capt. Alex “Waldo”Hampton,commander,CarrierAir Wing(CVW)7,presided.

“Cmdr Whitmore did an amazing job leadingourmostvaluableasset ourpeople - through a rigorous pre-deployment work up cycle and for the duration of the 2022 to 2023 deployment, said Hampton “His relentless efforts to maintain peace and stabilityinsupportofouralliesandmissions intheU.S.Sixthfleetareaofresponsibilityis atestamentofhisleadershipandprofessionalism. Congratulations to Cmdr Campbell IlookforwardtoseeingyouleadtheBluetailsaswefinishstrongfortheremainderof ourdeployment.

Whitmore, from Norwalk, Iowa, and a graduateofTheCitadel,theMilitaryCollege of South Carolina, assumed command of VAW-121 in Jan. 2022. He led the Bluetails during their 2022-2023 deployment with CVW-7,aboardGeorgeH.W.Bush

“I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of the Sailors chiefs and officers of the Bluetails,” said Whitmore “During this deployment our squadron accomplished unprecedented tasking and we not only strived but excelled thus catapultingourcommunityintothefuture.Servingasthecommandingofficerhasbeenthe honor and privilege of my life I wish nothingbutsuccessforCmdr Campbellandthe BluetailsofVAW-121.”

DuringWhitmore’stenure,thesquadron completedavigorouswork-upcycleculminatingina2022-2023deployment.VAW-121 deployed in support of priority U.S. Sixth Fleet tasking In total, they accumulated 1,530totalflighthours,565carrierlandings and 503 sorties while under Whitmore’s leadership Campbell, from Cleveland, Tennessee, and a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, praised Whitmore’s leadership andaddressedthesquadronaboutthefuture oftheBluetails.

“I’m extremely humbled and honored to be the 47th commanding officer of the

ADRIATIC SEA(March 17 2023) Sailors assigned toAirborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 121 splash Cmdr RobertWhitmore, commander VAW-121,aftera change ofcommand ceremony,March 8,2023.During the ceremonyCmdr MatthewCampbell relieved Cmdr RobertWhitmore as commander VAW-121.CarrierAirWing (CVW) 7 is the offensive airand strike component ofCarrierStrike Group (CSG) 10 and the George H.W.Bush CSG.The squadrons ofCVW-7 are Strike FighterSquadron (VFA)

Bluetails,” said Campbell “This was unlike any deployment the E-2 community has ever seen and every step of the way, this squadronperformedexceptionally Itisone hundredpercentduetotheSailorswehave at this command. It is the Sailors that motivate and drive me My only goal is to foster an environment where they can grow and develop personally and professionally and truly feel like they are being taken care of Many thanks to commander Whitmore for leavingmewiththeabsolutebestHawkeye squadroninthefleet.

George H. W. Bush is the flagship of

CarrierStrikeGroup(CSG)10 GeorgeH.W. Bush CSG. CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, CVW-7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).

TheshipsofDESRON-26withinCSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyersUSSNitze(DDG94),USSFarragut(DDG99) USSTruxtun(DDG103) and USSDelbertD.Black(DDG119)

The Squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard George H. W. Bush are the “Sidewinders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA)

86 the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103 the “Knighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin’ Dogs” of VFA-143, the Bluetails” of VAW-121,the“Patriots”ofElectronicAttack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, andthe“Grandmasters”ofHelicopterMaritimeStrikeSquadron(HSM)46

TheGeorgeH.W.BushCSG isonascheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africaareaofoperations employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partnerinterests