Historic Strike Fighter Squadron changes command

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, AT SEA

10.05.2014

Courtesy Story

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73)

By Lt. Ryan Vessichelli
VFA-115 Public Affairs

WATERS NEAR GUAM, At Sea - Cmdr. Geoffrey P. Bowman relieved Cmdr. Shawn M. Kern as commanding officer of the "Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 during an airborne change of command ceremony in airspace above the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Sept. 28.

Kern's completion of his command tour is just one of many accomplishments during his career as a naval aviator and test pilot. Upon returning to the U.S., Kern will assume the duties of director of Test and Evaluation for F-35 naval variants at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, where he will play a key role in bringing the joint strike fighter to the fleet.

“The highlight of my tour has been watching our Sailors apply what makes them special as individuals to making us great as a squadron, and as a Navy,” explained Kern. “Because of their selfless commitment, we stand ready to protect the United States, our allies in the Western Pacific, and freedom around the world. This is the reason why I chose to make a career out of the Navy.”

Bowman’s command tour is just the latest in a long career as a naval officer. He previously served with the “Raging Bulls” of VFA-37 before being selected for an instructor billet with the “Rough Raiders” of VFA-125. Bowman then went on to become a landing signal officer with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 prior to his department head tour with the “Sunliners” of VFA-81. He currently has more than 2,400 F/A-18 hours and 680 carrier landings.

“It’s an honor and a humbling experience to be entrusted with the finest Strike Fighter squadron in the fleet,” Bowman said. “I look forward to working with them over the next 15 months and tackling head-on the many challenges we will face together.”

Since its founding in 1942 as Torpedo Squadron (VT) 11, VFA-115 has left its mark flying in every major U.S.-involved conflict in recent history - seeing combat at Okinawa and Leyte Gulf in World War II, Inchon and Chosin Reservoir in Korea, the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam, and Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The Eagles were the first squadron to employ the F/A-18E Super Hornet in combat, an aircraft they continue to fly to this day as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Atsugi, Japan.

“The squadron will be in good hands under Bowman,” Kern asserted. “With his leadership, lifelong association with naval aviation and genuine concern for Sailors and their families, I know that VFA-115 will continue to push the envelope of excellence that distinguishes the Eagles.”

The Eagles are one of the nine squadrons of CVW-5 embarked aboard George Washington, which is currently on patrol in the 7th fleet area of operations, providing security and stability that protects the collective interests of the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 10.05.2014
• Date Posted: 10.05.2014 22:09
• Story ID: 144338
• Location: USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, AT SEA