USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle Newsletter Edition
“We are Legend”
August 17, 2012 Issue
Red Rippers Conduct Aerial Change of Command Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman when he was a young boy learning and reading stories about the Big E, and now, fast-forward 50 years and I’m serving on it as a commanding officer of one of the fighter squadrons onboard,” said Sullivan. Like Sullivan, the Red Rippers have early ties to Enterprise as well. The Rippers were the first squadron to trap aircraft on the flight deck of Big E. “It’s special to be back here 51 years after that first trap,” said Sullivan. “Hopefully the Red Rippers will have the last trap on Enterprise.” The Rippers have been hard at work since that first trap, completing many combat operations and deploying with different aircraft carriers, and, even as they prepare to make more history, they remember their forbearers. “The ship and the squadron are Cmdr. Daniel Sullivan, outgoing commander of the Red RIppers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, kind of paired up in that sense of performs an aerial manuever in an F/A-18F Super Hornet giving reign to Cmdr. Marcus Lopez, oncoming commander of the Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, during an aerial change of command. long lineage and heritage,” said (Photo by MC3 Jared King) Lopez. “That’s a pretty cool aspect of this deployment. It’s particularly nice because I worked USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – Cmdr. Marcus Lopez relieved really hard and I wanted to come to this squadron from the getCmdr. Daniel Sullivan as commanding officer of the Red go, so it’s very cool to get here and be with what I see as the Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 in an aerial best squadron out there.” change-of-command ceremony held the skies above aircraft Lopez has a large task at hand, being the final Red Ripper carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Aug. 15. commanding officer to serve aboard Enterprise, but feels he is During the ceremony, Sullivan and Lopez flew F/A-18F up to the task, thanks in part to Sullivan. Super Hornets. After both aviators read their orders, Sullivan “Cmdr. Sullivan really helped me out along the way and gave the formation lead to Lopez, symbolically turning over the really gave me the opportunity to exercise being the executive squadron to his relief. officer,” said Lopez. “I think we’ve been able to accomplish a “I would say I have not left my mark on the Rippers, the lot together here and I enjoyed working with him.” Rippers left their mark on me,” said Sullivan. “I was blessed As for Sullivan, his parting thoughts are simple, yet to be the 76th commanding officer of the Red Rippers (in) 85 heartfelt. years and, I would honestly say, I’ve taken away as much as “The only thing I would leave with the Rippers is to I’ve given.” continue to take care of each other and remember and be proud Sullivan has taken orders to the Pentagon to work on the of our heritage and what has made us great, which is the people Quadrennial Defense Review, a 20-year investigation into of this squadron,” said Sullivan. future Navy and military program expenditures. His future may This change of command ceremony comes a day after the lie in Washington D.C., but his past remains with Enterprise. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 change of command ceremony held “When I was growing up, my dad told me stories about above Enterprise.