Caldwell assumes command of FRCSE

Transcription

1 Capt. Robert Caldwell (left) assumes command of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast from Capt. Paul Sohl (right) as Rear Adm. Timothy Matthews, commander Fleet Readiness Centers looks on during a ceremony on Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., July 8. (U.S. Navy photo by Vic Pitts/Released) Capt. Robert B. Caldwell, Jr., who served as the executive officer at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) since July 2009, assumed command of the overhaul, maintenance and repair facility, during a ceremony at Hangar 1000 on Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Fla., July 8. Caldwell took the reins from Capt. Paul A. Sohl who will be heading to Point Mugu, Calif. to take the helm as Commander, Naval Test Wing Pacific (NTWP). I truly am the luckiest man in the Navy, said Caldwell to more than 800 Sailors, civilian employees, community leaders, family and friends. It is you who have put me on this platform today. Guest speaker Vice Adm. David Architzel, commander, Naval Air Systems Command, said Caldwell and Sohl are superb examples of service over self. Architzel said Caldwell is a person who leads by example and has the breadth of insight to lead FRCSE through Page 1 of 5

2 Architzel said Caldwell is a person who leads by example and has the breadth of insight to lead FRCSE through any challenge. He said the work done at the maintenance and repair facility positions our war fighters to win. I am confident you will succeed and build a legacy of your own, said Architzel. Caldwell told the audience he was extremely proud and humbled to be standing before the FRCSE workforce as the commanding officer. We must keep our eyes on the future, he said, What you do directly impacts the Sailors, airmen and Marines on the ground. We work to answer the call of our country when it needs us the most. A native of Gulfport, Miss., Caldwell began his Naval career in 1986 after graduating from Auburn University, Ala., with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and a commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Program designated as an aeronautical maintenance duty officer. He earned a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., in 1998 and worked with the Chief of Naval Operations staff as the Engine Depot Maintenance and Engine Component Improvement Program Requirement officer. During his 25-year career, he served with numerous fighter and patrol aircraft squadrons including the Skinny Dragons of Patrol Squadron Four (VP-4) in Hawaii and the Grim Reapers of Fighter Squadron One Hundred One (VF-101) at NAS Oceana, Va., His sea tours include the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in 1993, where he served as the quality assurance officer during Big E s Refueling and Complex Overhaul, a potentially hazardous process for refueling the ship s nuclear reactors. He forward deployed on the USS Essex (LHD 2) to Sasebo Japan in 2002 as head of the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department. In October 2004, Caldwell reported to Navy Personnel Command, Millington, Tenn., where he served as the Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer detailer until his transfer in September 2006 back to Florida. He served as the FRCSE director of depot operations until April His next assignment was on the staff of Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers at NAS Patuxent River, Md., as the production officer, until his return to FRCSE in April Page 2 of 5

3 During the ceremony, Architzel awarded Sohl the Legion of Merit, the Navy s seventh highest award, for his exceptional meritorious conduct during his tenure as FRCSE commanding officer. I will remember with great fondness all you have given me,especially the laughter, said Sohl. Sohl s last official act as the FRCSE commander was to spot promote Aviation Electronics Technician Third Class Jamal J. Napier to the rank of second class for his outstanding mentorship to his shipmates and service to the Fleet. FRCSE is one of eight Fleet Readiness Centers commissioned by the Navy to perform in-depth overhaul, repair, and modification of aircraft, engines, and aeronautical components. FRCSE is the largest tenant command on the base and the largest industrial employer in the Northeast Fla., and Southeast Ga., with a workforce of nearly 4,600 military, civil service and contract personnel. Vice Adm. David Architzel (right), commander, Naval Air Systems Command, shakes hands with Capt. Robert Caldwell during a change of command ceremony at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast July. 8. Caldwell assumed command from Capt. Paul Sohl who will be reporting as Commander, Naval Test Wing Pacific in California. (U.S. Navy photo by Vic Pitts/Released) Page 3 of 5

4 Capt. Robert Caldwell, a professional maintenance officer, assumed command of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast during a ceremony at the facility on Naval Air Station Jacksonville July 8. He said he was fortunate to have great leaders and friends and a supportive family in his life. (U.S. Navy Photo by Vic Pitts/Released) As one of his final acts as commanding officer of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, Capt. Paul Sohl spot promotes Aviation Electronics Technician Third Class Jamal J. Napier to the rank of second class for his outstanding mentorship to his shipmates and service to the Fleet. Sohl turned over the reins of the maintenance and repair facility to Capt. Robert Caldwell during a change of command ceremony on Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., July 8. (U.S. Navy photo by Vic Pitts/Released) Page 4 of 5

5 Following a Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Change Of Command on Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., July 8, Capt. Robert Caldwell receives his Command Ashore lapel pin from his wife who he says keeps him focused on what really matters. (U.S. Navy photo by Vic Pitts/Released) The Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Color Guard prepares to post the Colors during a change of command ceremony on Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., July 8. Capt. Robert Caldwell takes command of the industrial facility from Capt. Paul Sohl who will report as commander, Naval Test Wing Pacific in Point Mugu, Calif. (U.S. Navy photo by Vic Pitts/Released) Page 5 of 5