VT-21 holds change of command

Photo By Lt.j.g. Winslow Blow | CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Capt. Raymond Barnes, Commodore, Training Air Wing (TAW) 2, right, congratulates Cmdr. William Rietveld, left, after taking command of Training Squadron (VT) 21, March 3, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by LTJG Winslow Blow)  

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, UNITED STATES

03.03.2023

Courtesy Story

Chief of Naval Air Training

By: Capt. Robert Doyle III, USMC

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The “Redhawks” of Training Squadron (VT) 21, stationed aboard Naval Air Station Kingsville, Kingsville, Texas, held a Change of Command ceremony, March 3, to mark the transition of command leadership.

During the change of command event, Cmdr. William Rietveld, of Holland, Michigan, assumed all duties and responsibilities as the VT-21 commanding officer from Cmdr. Matthew Starr, of Charlotte, North Carolina.

During his time at VT-21 and Training Air Wing (CTW) 2, Starr’s squadron flew over 13,000 hours, while producing a total of 69 newly winged Naval Aviators to the Navy and Marine Corps fleet.

Rietveld takes over the VT-21 “Redhawks” as he prepares to continue the squadron’s proud history of success.

VT-21 conducts modern day intermediate and advanced flight training for Navy and Marine Corps Student Naval Aviators (SNA) in the T-45C Goshawk. The squadron employs a demanding program to train and develop young officers into competent and capable Naval Aviators who prevail in completion, crisis, and conflict.

• Date Taken: 03.03.2023
• Date Posted: 03.03.2023 18:31
• Story ID: 439652
• Location: CORPUS CHRISTI, TX, US