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| Press Release Number: EPX200302052 | 05-Feb-03 |
Rorke takes command of VX-23 |
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| By JIM JENKINS NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD-Capt. Stephen C. "Chewy" Rorke officially took command of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 in a combined Marine Corps and Navy change of command ceremony here Jan. 24. Rorke relieved Col. Joe Mortensen, who had been the VX-23 commanding officer since 2001 and who will soon head to his next assignment in Okinawa, Japan. Mortensen kept his promise of a short speech while explaining some events that the squadron went through under his command - the name change from Strike to VX-23 and the events of 9/11, to name just two. "During Mort's tenure this squadron completed more than 5,000 flights and 7,000 hours of high-risk developmental flight tests," said Capt. Thomas P. Phelan, Naval Test Wing Atlantic commander. "And it was completed safely." Before being relieved of command, Mortensen received the Meritorious Service Medal for five major achievements: . leading the VX-23 team during the unique testing of three X-planes . helping make new weapon loads available in support of Operation Enduring Freedom . completing precision landing system certification on 10 carriers, three L-class ships and three naval air stations . evaluating the next generation EA-6B electronic attack system . and test improvements to the T-45 ground handling and engine performance, among many other reasons. "Now Chewy, as you take command here today, a couple things," Phelan said as he turned to Rorke. "Always do what is right, build on the foundations that Mort has built and by all means have fun." With the reading of the official orders, handing over the command colors, the uttering of the few ritual words - "I relive you, sir," and "I stand relieved" - and a salute, and the change was seamless. "I will rely on each and every one of you as 'Salty Dogs' [VX-23's call sign prefix] everyday to use your good judgement, to accomplish your assigned duties, and to fulfill our mission as expeditiously and as safely as possible," said Rorke, donning his new title of VX-23 commanding officer. "I am asking us to be honest and truthful in our dealings with each other inside the Navy and outside the Navy, to be responsible citizens of the Navy and of our community. I expect all Salty Dogs to abide the uncompromising codes of integrity, all of us to take responsibility for our actions, and to keep our word." Rorke grew up in California and graduated from Cordova High in Rancho Cordova. He was commissioned through the Oregon State University Navy ROTC scholarship program in 1981 and designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1982. Rorke's first tour was with the final EA-6B "EXCAP" Prowler class at Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 129. He then joined the VAQ-133 Wizards in September 1983 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in preparation for the "EXCAP" model Prowler deployment. Rorke then made the first Western Pacific ICAP-II EA-6B deployment in 1986. Rorke graduated U.S. Navy Test Pilot School, Class 92, in December 1987 and was then assigned to the Systems Engineering Test Directorate here, as the EA-6B project officer for Block-86 and production EA-6B HARM integration. He became the test project coordinator at SETD and was responsible for conduct of all EA-6B weapons and flight test projects including ADVCAP, Block-86 and Block-82 in addition to participating in numerous other developmental projects on a variety of aircraft. Rorke returned to the fleet as a Scorpion of VAQ-132 in September 1991 and served as electronic warfare, operations and then maintenance department head during deployments to the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas aboard USS Saratoga (CV 60), and to the Caribbean Sea aboard USS Constellation (CV 64). He left the Scorpions in November 1993 for duties as officer-in-charge of the Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, EA-6B ADVCAP Fleet Introduction Team. He eventually oversaw the stand-down of that unit following the cancellation of the ADVCAP program and then assisted the wing on Prowler upgrade options and technology issues until he transferred to the Naval War College in 1994. Chewy joined the Garudas of VAQ-134 as executive officer while deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, during the first Navy Expeditionary Prowler squadron deployment in May 1996. The Garudas won the COMNAVAIRPAC Battle "E" and CNO Safety "S" awards in this groundbreaking role. Rorke assumed command of the Garudas in October 1997 and led the squadron through another trend-setting, six-month expeditionary deployment to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, in support of Operation Northern Watch. The squadron was again awarded the Safety "S" and a Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation as a member of the Combined Task Force. Rorke left the Garudas in January 1999 and reported as operations officer of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in time for work-ups and the millennium deployment to the Western Pacific and the Arabian Gulf before detaching in January 2001. Rorke has logged over 3,590 flight hours in 28 types of aircraft including 3,090 hours in the EA-6B, more than 700 carrier landings and 165 combat hours during 34 Operation Northern Watch missions. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Navy Commendation and Achievement Medals, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NATO Service Medal and various unit and service awards. -USN- |
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