Cutter says ‘aloha’ to CPRW-2

KANEOHE BAY, HI, UNITED STATES

10.13.2011

Story by Pfc. James Sauter 

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii - Navy Capt. Christopher P. Ramsden relieved Capt. David C. Cutter as commanding officer of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing at Hanger 104 on Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Thursday.

Ramsden was “welcomed aboard” the same way a new skipper would take command of a ship at sea, but with a special Hawaiian style greeting with traditional flower leis.

“I’ll greatly miss being a part of the dynamic sailor and Marine team at Marine Corps Base Hawaii,” Cutter said. “Their dedication and professionalism has enabled our aircrews to achieve unprecedented mission success across the globe.”

Sailors stood at attention as Ramsden recited his orders and took command. His wife then presented him the highly respected Command at Sea badge, held by commanding officers lower than a one-star admiral. The sailors were able to shake hands with their new commodore as Ramsden greeted them.

“It’s always a good feeling to join a command that’s operating at such a high level,” Ramsden said. “I’m looking forward to working with CPRW-2’s military and civilian team.”

CPRW-2 provides training, standardization and administrative control for three operational maritime patrol and reconnaissance squadrons and one special projects squadron here. These units operate the P-3C Orion maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft for offensive and defensive missions, such as anti-submarine warfare and homeland defense patrols for enemy activity around Hawaii. The aircraft can act as part of or independently from carrier battle groups and other surface action groups.

“During the War on Terror, the Orion’s mission support shifted from a mostly nonorganic sea role to a mostly organic overland role,” Cutter said. “Then, as we shifted to more overseas contingency operations, we saw more of a balance between these roles.”

In addition to Orion’s primary mission, the squadrons has been called into service for multi-mission, command and control, surface search and surveillance, over-land reconnaissance and anti-surface warfare missions over the decades.

CPRW-2 also dispatched units for humanitarian missions. Under Cutter’s charge, Patrol Squadron 4 deployed in support of Operation Tomodachi after an earthquake caused a tsunami that devastated Japan March 10.

“We’ll continue to maintain our primary focus of manning, training and equipping our squadrons to execute, missions around the world,” Ramsden said. “During this time period, we’re laying the foundation for the future of the maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force by preparing for the arrival of the new P-8s.”

The squadron of CPRW-2 will receive new P-8 Poseidons in 2015 to replace their aging platform of P3-C Orion aircrafts.

Cutter’s new assignment will be at U.S. Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith as the director of the Commander’s Action Group. Ramsden was previously the deputy director for battle space awareness for the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

• Date Taken: 10.13.2011
• Date Posted: 10.14.2011 15:07
• Story ID: 78501
• Location: KANEOHE BAY, HI, US