Change of Command

Fighter Squadron 8431 AUGUST 1985

USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)

Ceremony

ARRIVAL HONORS *PARADE THE COLORS *

NATIONAL ANTHEM *POST THE COLORS *

INVOCATION *COMMANER E. E. SNOW, CHC, USN

GUEST SPEAKERREAR ADMIRAL D. E. HERNANDEZ, USN

REMARKS AND READING OF ORDERSCOMMANDER J. W. CRAINE, JR., USN

READING OF ORDERS AND REMARKSCOMMANDER R. A. KENNEDY, USN

BENEDICTION *RETIRE THE COLORS *

* GUESTS PLEASE STAND

Rear AdmiralDIEGO E. HERNANDEZ

United States Navy

Hernandez is a graduate of the Command andthe Naval War College and holds a Master ofInternational Affairs from George Washington

Rear Adairal Diego E. Hernandez was born in San Juan, PuertoRico on March 25th, 1934, son of Diego I., and Dolores (Sanfeliz)Hernandez. He attended the Illinois Institue of Technology underthe NROTC Scholarship Program and in June 1955 graduated with aBachelor of Science Degree and was commissioned an Ensign. Hewas designated a Naval Aviator in August 1956.

He has served at sea in a variety of assignments includingduty with VF-43, VF-Il, VF-I03, VF-2l and as Aide and FlagLieutenant to Command Carrier Division 14. He has coaaandedvr-84, Carrie~ Air Wing SEVEN, USS TRUCKEE (Ao-147) and theaircraft carrier USS JOHN P. KENNEDY (CV-67).

Ashore Rear Admiral Hernandez has served in VF-174, as Aideand Plag Lieutenant to Commander Alaskan Sea Prontier, as aaember of the Paculty, Naval Command Course, Naval War College,as Officer-in-Charge, VF-IOI Detachment Key West-, Plor ida, asExecutive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (AirWarfare) in the Pentagon; as Chief of Staff for Commander NavalAir Porce, u.S. Atlantic Pleet in Norfolk, Virginia and mostrecently as Commander U.S. Naval Porces Caribbean/Commander PleetAir Caribbean in Puerto Rico. Rear Admiral Hernandez assumedcommand as Commander Carrier Group Six in August 1985.

Rear AdmiralStaff Course atScience Degree inUniversity.

His personal decorations include the Distinguished ServiceMedal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the DistinguishedFlying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, tenAir Medals, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat ·V· and twoGold Stars, and the purple Heart.

Rear Admiral Hernandez is aarried to the former Sherrill(Sherry) perkins of Keota, Oklahoma.

CommanderJOHN W. CRAINE, JR.

United States Navy

CommanderRICHARD A. KENNEDY

United States Navy

Commander John W. CRAINE, Jr. is a native of Urbanna, Virginia andgraduated from Randolph - Macon College. Be entered the Navy through theAviation Officer Candidate School Program in Pensacola, Florida and wasdesignated a Naval Aviator in November 1969.

Following fleet replacement training in the F-4 Phantom at VF-101, NASOceana, CDR Craine reported to VF-103 where he deployed to the Mediterraneanand to Southeast Asia onboard USS SARATOGA (CV 60).

In June 1973, he reported to VF-101 Det Key West, Florida as an Air CombatManuevering instructor. Following this tour he served as aide and FlagLieutenant to Commander U. S. Second Fleet and Commander Striking FleetAtlantic (NATO). In July 1977 he reported to the Air Command and StaffCollege where he was a distinguished graduate.

In August 1978, he reported to VF-101 and transitioned to the F-14 priorto reporting to VF-32 where he served as Operations Officer and MaintenanceOfficer. During this tour he made a Mediterranean deployment aboard USS JohnF. KENNEDY (CV 67).

In May 1981 Commander Craine reported to the Naval Military PersonnelCommand where he served in the Air Combat Placement branch. In July 1982 heagain reported to VF-101 for refresher training prior to reporting to VF-84 asExecutive Officer in January 1983. Commander Craine assumed command ofFighter Squadron Eighty-Four in March 1984.

CDR Craine is married to the former Wendy Clarke Burchinal of Birmingham,A.L •• They reside in Virginia Beach with their two sons, David and Clarke.

CDR Kennedy, a native of Villanova, Pennsylvania, graduated from VillanovaUniversity in May, 1969, and was commissioned an Ensign in the United StatesNavy via the NROTC program. He entered Naval Flight Officer training atPensacola, Florida, and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in March, 1970.

CDR Kennedy reported to Carrier Air Wing THREE Staff in June 1970 as theAssistant Maintenance and Staff Avionics Officer. While attached to Air WingTHREE, he qualified for flight as a Radar Intercept Officer in the F-4Jaircraft and completed two Mediterranean deployments.

~e transferred to VF-101 in December, 1971, for training and subsequentlyrece1ved orders to VF-103 in August, 1972. While attached to the "SLUGGERS"he made ~eployments to Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean. CDR Kennedy wa~then ass1gned to VF-101 as an F-4 flight instructor and while there he wasselected for the VF-101 F-14 Transition Team that established the F-14replacement training capability for the Atlantic Fleet. Be reported to theVF-14 "TOPBATTERS" in April, 1978, and held billets 88 Assistant MaintenanceAdministrative, and Operations Officer and deployed twice to the 'Mediterranean.

CDR Kennedy reported to the Naval Air Systems Command in Washington DCin ~ecember 1980 for duty with the F-14/Phoenix Program Managers Office' as 'Ass1stant for Software and Avionics. Be was assigned the coordination andmanagement of the F-14A Upgrade Programs that lead to the initial contractsfor the F-14D aircraft.

In December, 1983, CDR Kennedy again reported to VF-101 for F-14 refreshertraining. Upon completion he reported aboard VF-84 as Executive Officer.

Bis personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal the Air Medal(three strike/flight awards), and the Navy Commendation Medal'with Combat "V",in addition to various campaign ribbons and unit awards.

CDR Kennedy is married to the form Pamela Reeves of Manhasset, New York.They reside in Virginia Beach with their three children.

VF-84 Squadron History

Fighter Squadron EIGHTY-FOUR traces its roots to VF-17 of WWIIfame. In only 76 days, these JOllY ROGERS in their F-4U CORSAIRSdestroyed 154 enemy aircraft and sank seven ships, a record unsurpassedthroughout the war.

With the arrival of the jet age and the subsequent need for additionalfighter squadrons, VF-84 was commissioned on 1 July 1955 at NAS Oceana,Virginia. The squadron adopted the nickname VAGABONDS and flew theFJ-3 FURY aircraft until 1959 when the FURY was replaced by the F-8UCRUSADER. During this period the squadron adopted the JOllY ROGERSnickname and the "Skull and Crossbones" insignia. While flying theCRUSADER the squadron won several honors, including first place in theAtlantic Fleet Weapons Meet, the CRUSADER Excellence Award in 1959,and the Battle Efficiency "E" in 1960.

In 1964 the squadron commenced transition to the McDonnell DouglasF-4 PHANTOM II and flew several versions of this capable and versatileaircraft for the next 12 years. During this era VF-84 made six deploymentsaboard two carriers, including a combat deployment aboard the USSINDEPENDENCE (CVA 62) in which the squadron flew 2700 hours and 1507combat sorties with over 700 strike missions agains targets in North andSouth Vietnam.

After another ten Mediterranean deployments aboard INDEPENDENCE,in which the squadron won six of nine airmanship-carrier landing proficiencyawards, VF-84 transferred from Air Wing SEVEN to Air Wing SIX aboard theUSS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CVA 42). Operating F-4J's, F-4B's and F­4N's during four deployments aboard "ROSEY" the squadron won severalmore awards for carrier landing performance and safety, including the CNPAviation Safety Award in 1975.

The final F-4N was transferred from the squadron in March 1976 andthe squadron began transition training for the F-14 TOMCAT. Completingthe training and accepting the arrival of their first TOMCAT one year later,the JOllY ROGERS joined Carrier Air Wing EIGHT and began refreshl'!rtraining aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) in preparation for their firstMediterranean deployment in the F-14.

VF-84's performance during the 1978 cruise was instrumental in thesquadron's receipt of the Admiral Joseph P. Clifton Award for 1978. Thisaward is presented annually to the number one fighter squadron the U.S.Navy.

The squadron began workups in April 1979 for a Mediterranean deploy­ment in September. During this period, the squadron became the first Fleetsquadron to successfully fire two Phoenix missiles simultaneously from one

aircraft at two separate targets. The squadron deployed to theMediterranean in September. In early January, aboard NIMITZ, the squadronemergency sortied from the Mediterranean to augment the U.S. SEVENTHFleet in the Indian Ocean. While there, they spent an unprecedented 144consecutive days at sea.

During the 1979-1980 deployment the squadron received the GoldenAnchor Award for outstanding achievement in personnel retention, theMeritorious Unit Citation for sustained performance, the NavyExpeditionary Medal for Indian Ocean contingency operations, the SeaService Deployment Ribbon for extensive at-sea period, as well as theirsecond consecutive Admiral Joseph P. Clifton Award as the Navy's mostoutstanding fighter squadron.

VF-84 deployed to the Mediterranean in August 1981 and wasimmediately tasked with guarding the perimeter of an open-ocean missileexercise area off the coast of Libya. During the two days of exercise thesquadron's F-14's intercepted 36 Libyan fighters, including the MIG 25FOX BAT aircraft.

Returning from their third Mediterranean deployment aboard USSNIMITZ, the squadron took the "Skull and Crossbones" to sea in USS CARLVINSON (CVN 70) during the summer of 1982, prior to returning to NIMITZto commence work-ups for deployment which began on 10 November 1982.Squadron operations during that deployment included support of the Multi­National Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon as well as Central and EasternMediterranean Operations.

In May 1983, the Jolly Rogers returned from deployment andparticipated in numerous shore based operations, including detachments toNaval Station Roosevelt Roads, NAS Cecil Field, Naval Weapons CenterChina Lake, and Goose Bay Labrador. During this period, Fighter SquadronEIGHTY-FOUR was named the winner of the COMNAVAIRlANT Fox OneAward for the second consecutive year. This award is presented to theAtlantic Fleet Fighter Squadron demonstrating the highest proficiency inAIM-7 (Sparrow) Missile Employment. This· marked the first time, since theinception of the award, that a fighter squadron received the award twice.

In September 1984, the USS NIMITZ and Fighter Squadron EIGHTY­FOUR began workups for the current Mediterranean deployment. Thesquadron embarked on 8 March 1985, participated in Caribbean and CentralAmerican operations, and arrived in the Mediterranean with USS NIMITZ inApril.

Fighter Squadron EIGHTY-FOUR takes pride in its heritage andaccomplishments and is dedicated to upholding the Naval Aviation tradition.Into any scenerio, the "Skull and Crossbones" will go in support of freedomand democracy.

Fighter SquadronEIGHTY FOUR

Commanding Officers

LCDR J. T. BLACKBURNLCDR R. R. HEDRICKCDR J. W. ELLIS, JR.CDR H. F. MCCUELCDR J. E. POPECDR R. T. HOPPERCDR R. H. JESTERCDR G. M. JOHNSONCDR W. K. SMITHCDR J. E. WAITSCDR L. S. LAMOREAUXCDR A. E. WALLERCDR E. T. WOOLRIDGE, JR.CDR B. A. WEISHEITCDR G. W. LENOX

CDR R. R. WILMERCDR R. B. KINGCDR G. L. RIENDEAUCDR D. E. HERNANDEZCDR R. B. LYNCH, JR.CDR E. S. PROMERSBERGERCDR D. V. HANNACDR W. J. TOWNSENDCDR T. S. TREANORCDR E. W. BROWN, JR.CDR E. K. ANDREWSCDR J. L. JOHNSONCDR J. S. DAUGHTRY, JR.CDR J. W. CRAINE, JR.

CDR J. W. CRAINE, JR.LCDR R. E. DAVIS, JR.LCDR G. E. SLAVEN, JR.LCDR J. A. HUCHOWSKILCDR R. E. WEISERTLT J. T. DUGENELTG. L. LABUDALT R. F. REYNOLDSLT J. P. BLASS IIILT T LANGLT M. E. SMITHLT S. R. JANTSCHERLT R. J. NIEWOEHNERLT J. M. HACKETTLT S. E. CAMPBELLLT JR. R. WEIDMANLTJG F. D. DILLINGHAMLTJG G. L. REES

ADCS L. A. ROBYAECS E. P. BULLARDAMCS L. P. MITCHELLAQCS P. DAVIS, JR.AMHC W. W. MILLER, JR.

The JOLLY ROGERS

Officers

Otief Petty Officers

CDR R. A. KENNEDYLCDR F. T. BOSSIOLCDR T. H. HOLSTONLCDR J. J. MORROWLCDR D. J. BLALOCK IIILT E. P. DUNNLT T. M. CULPEPPERLT K. E. FLOYDLT H. V. KELLYLTD. C. FITZGERALDLT P. A. LYNCHLT J. W. WIRWILLE, JR.LT R. O. PARRISHLT P. F. NAUTALT T. L HOFFMANLT F. L MOORELTJG C. B. KENNEDY IIIENS G. E. NOYES

AMEC H. J. WOODSADC E. C. JOHNSONAMSC J. E. SCHREMPAOC G. W. PORLIERAEC D. A. ESPINOSA

/

ADI A.B. ABLAOAMSI V.E. ANNELER, JR.AMEI M.P. AUDLEYAZI F. W. BAKERAOI R.A. BRASKOAT! R.C. BROWNAEI R.D. CARTERAZI J.D. CLARKADI W.W. DYKE, JR.PNI M.K. EVANS

AMS2 S.M. ALLEYMS2 LA. ASTROPAT2 M. BROWNAD2 J.L. BURNSIDEYN2 P.E. BURT, JR.AQ2 R.E. COLLINSAMS2 M.P. DAYAT2 R.A. DEARWESTERAMH2 S.F. DUVEAMH2 J.P. EDGERAE2 J.J. GOOCHAQ2 J.D. GOURLEYAT2 M.P. GRANGERAD2 A.C. GRIFFITHS, JR.AE2 M.P. HARDYAMS2 R.L. HENDRICK, JR.

First Class Petty Officers

AOI P.W. FULLERAMSI W.J. HENRY IIAQI R.C. HERTELAEl C.T. KINGAMHI D.E. KNIGHTYNl M. LACEAKl J. T. LANEAMEI P.R. LEACHAEI R.J. PADILLAAMHI J .R. PAYNE

Second Claaa Petty Officers

AQ2 B.E. HEPSTALLAMH2 D. R. HOWELLAMS2 G.M. IADAROLAAT2 K.D. KEITHAK2 A.L. KINGAD2 J.F. KUNTZIS2 T.J. LALLYAQ2 W.L. LATTA IIIAQ2 G. LEPOREPR2 D.J. MALONEYAT2 T.A. MATTSONAD2 J.E. MCCLEANA02 J.L. MELTONPH2 D.D. MILLARDAQ2 R. D. MILLERAMS2 G.N. MOORE

PRl R.A. RABORNADl J.D. RAUDENBUSH IIAQl J.W. SAGRAVESAEl G.A. SHUSTERAT! T.J. STACKATI T.F. STREETAOI W.D. WATSONAMHl S.F. WHITE

AK2 W.P. MORGANAT2 D.A. MYERSAME2 P.F. PFEIFLE, JR.AK2 J.L. ROBINSONAD2 S.L. ROBINSONAE2 K.G. SEMANSA02 J. SMITHA02 M.L. SMITHIS2 K.M. SOUBAAMH2 J.W. STEWARTAE2 S.T. TERRYMS2 A.E. THOMPSONAZ2 G.L. TROWBRIDGE IIAQ2 F.E. TYNERAQ2 W.C. WILLIAMS, JR.

AMS3 R.A. ALBERSA03 J.A. BLACKAMS3 R.A. BROWNAZ3 M.S. CARROLLAT3 B.L. COONSPN3 D.W. CRAGOAT3 W.G. CREVASSEAMS3 C.A. CRONEPH3 M.A. DALLUGEAT3 M.A. DAVISAMS3 D.R. ENGLEMANAQ3 D.J. ESTESliM3 M.S. EVERTSONAT3 F.R. FARTHINGAME3 M.J. FLESHMANMS3 S.A. FREHSEAME3 J.T. GRIGSBYAT3 S.B. JACKSON

AN R. AMAYA, JR.ADAN E. C. ANDRADA, JR.AR T.L. ARNOLDAN J.T. BACASAN F.D. BEARUPPHAN T.E. BENDERAMHAN B. J. BRENNEMANAN B.G. BRONKAEAN R.E. BROUGHMANAN D.L. BUCKHOLTZAEAN T. BURNSIDEATAN R.W. BUTTERFIELD,AMSAN T. W. CANALEATAN K.D. CARRAEAN G. S. CHRETIENAA G.R. CHURCHAA B.R. CONTILDESAOAN J.E. COWAN, JR.AN A.A. DANIELAQAN C. DEJESUSAQAN J.E. DUCHAYAEAN J. L. EMANUELAR M.D. FALCIONIPRAN A.S. FRANKLINAMSAN J.C. GIACCOTTOADAN W.D. GIBSON

Third Class Petty Officers

A03 C.W. JACOBSAD3 P.L. JEFFRIESAMS3 C.D. JONESMS3 J.M. LAWSONA03 R.O. LAWSONMS3 D.D. LEAKAT3 M.W. LEHTOAME3 D.A. LIZYNESSAME3 R.S. LUCASAK3 G.F. LUGOAD3 P.L. MATOUSEKA03 C.B. MCDERMOTTDK3 A.A. MENDEZ, JR.AZ3 B.K. MONINGERPH3 J.E. MOONEYA03 M.L. MOSHERPN3 T.R. MOYLER IIIA03 E.V. PAEZ

Future Petty Officers

AN D.S. GREYADAN G. G. GRIMSHAWAA W.S. HARDYAEAA B.A. HARRISAOAN B.P. HIETPASAMHAN S.M. HOGANATAN L. HUNTLEYAQAN R.J. HYNDSAMEAN A. JOHANSENAN R.C. JOHNSONSN M.S. KAGEL

JR. AN K.J. KIRCHNERAOAN D.J. LOEWENAR D.L. MARTINAN W.G.H. MARTIN, JR.AA D.R. MASONAOAN R.W. MCCARTYATAN W.C. MCELROYAN B.R. NORRISAQAN W.C. MIERAQAN D. PARKS, JR.AMHAN M.S. PHIPPSADAN K.C. POMAAN R.A. REEDAN T.W. RICHARDSONAA D.T. RIVERS

AK3 D.E. PELOFSKEYN3 K.W. PITTMANPH3 W.J. PURNELLAMS3 M.T. QUINTANILLAAQ3 A.S. RAKAT3 C.M. RAMOSAQ3 W.T. RICHARDS, JR.AK3 M.J. ROBERSONIS3 L.A. RODI IIIAMS3 W.J. RUSHAQ3 S.D. RYANYN3 D.J. SAPPAD3 D.M. SCRUGGS, JR.AD3 R. TAYLORAE3 C. D. TOWNSENDMS3 D.P. WALBERTAMS3 E.M. WILLIAMSYN3 J.L. WILLIAMS

AN W.M. ROBBINSAA T.L. RUTLEDGEAMEAA P.K. SALCEDOAMHAN T.A. SCHNEIDERAQAN R.S. SCHROEDERATAN J.A. SEGERATAN A.E. SHERIFFPRAN M.R. SIMANEAMSAN J.A. SIMPKINSAMSAN S.E. SIVILSSN B.R. SMITHATAN M.D. SWIHARTAA H.J. STEFFEY, JR.AA L.A. TAYLORAN R.G. TIDWELLAOAN K.W. TRENHAILEAN D.J. VELSORAMEAN K.D. WALLER, JR.AA C.A. WATTERSAEAN K.T. WHITEAQAN D.G. WHITEDAEAN M.A. WIGGINSPRAN F.E. WILCOXAEAN W.M. WILLIAMSAMSAA A.D. WOOTTEN

CHANGE OF COMMAND TRADITION

Naval Ceremonies antedate the Christian era. The sailor of steam and nuclearpower and the seaman of sail are widely divided in time, but closely united by thecommon cast of thought which has survived through the ages. Common dangers andshared victories tend to the creation of brotherhood; and none is it closer than that of theprofession of arms where men are bound by common traditions, shared ceremonies andancient customs.

In order to secure an historic background for the naval ceremony, it is necessary toexamine the development of ancient customs and laws of the sea that merged withBritish naval regulations in effect at the time ofthe American Revolution. The effect oldcustoms had in the formulation of naval regulations is a marked example of the influ­ence of tested usage.

It was from the British Navy that the greater share of the American Navy's firstregulations were derived. British Naval Law, maritime history and general sea tradi­tions were common knowledge to the eduated and well-informed populace of our sea­board colonies, many of whom served in the Royal Navy.

John Adams, who compiled the first rules for regulation of the Navy in the UnitedColonies and thus set a precedent for future provisions, used as his guide the instructionsand regulations of the British Admiralty, themselves a product of time-honored tradi­tions and custom. It was under the direction of these that the Father of the U.S. Navy,John Paul Jones, born a British subject, gave our Navy its earliest traditions of heroismand victory. There was a decided trend after World War II to do away with some of thetime-honored customs conducive to smartness and discipline. It did not prevail. Eternalcredit is due to those who never underestimated the immeasurable value of Navaltraditions, customs and ceremonies-the spiritual cement in a military organization.

The Change of Command Ceremony is not prescribed specifically by U.S. NavyRegulations, but rather is an honored product of the rich heritage of Naval tradition. I~

is a custom wholly naval, without an equivalent counterpart in the Army or Air Forcd.Custom has established that this ceremoy be formal and impressive-designed tostrengthen the respect for authority which is vital to military organization. The practiceof public reading of official orders stems from those days when the movement of mailand persons was a slow process. This procedure was designed to insure only dulyauthorized officers held command and that all aboard were aware of its authenticity.

The heartofthe ceremony is the formal reading of official orders by the officer to berelieved, and the relieving officer. Command passes upon utterance by the relievingofficer, "I relieve you, sir!" The officer being relieved responds, "I stand relieved!" Thissimple procedure is duplicated hundreds of times daily throughout the navies of theworld as each watch officer passes responsibility to his relief in the conduct of each ship'sroutine.

Ceremonies are a function of discipline. The Navy, an organization of explicitdiscipline, lends itself to the perpetuation of the more venerated customs, heroic trad i­tions and dignified ceremonies such as that which we are witnessing today.

The highest praise that can be paid a serviceman, at the time of his retirement ordeath, is that he lived and worked according to the highest traditions of the U.S. NavalService. A consistently high tradition has been bequeathed the modern Navy. Whetheror not it will be a stimulus to the imagination of the sailors of the future and a symbol ofpride to the servicemen unborn, rests with the officers and men of today.

A Tradition of "Victory"

o:nly the ~pirit of attack born in a brave heart will bring success to anyftghter atrcrajt, no matter how highly developed it might be.

Adolf Galland

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1984-739.015(562