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VAW-121 Welcomes New Commanding Officer

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080207-24
Release Date: 2/7/2008 3:12:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rachael L. Leslie, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121 held a change of command ceremony in the squadron's hangar on Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 31.

Cmdr. Mark Stoops relieved Cmdr. Steven Wieman as commanding officer of VAW-121.

Wieman will soon report to USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as the ship's operations officer.

"Cmdr. Wieman has brought a seemingly effortless style of leadership to the job," said guest speaker Capt. Paul O'Connor, commodore, Command Control and Logistics Wing. "He's made the difficult job look easy, and done all that with aplomb, style and humor."

Wieman assumed duties as the executive officer of VAW-121 in July 2005, and relieved Cmdr. Russell McLachlan as commanding officer Oct. 27, 2006.

"I have every confidence the Bluetails will continue on course and on speed as they face the many challenges that will come," said Wieman.

Wieman began his career after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1988. His first tour in the E-2C "Hawkeye" community was with the VAW-121 "Bluetails" as part of Carrier Air Wing 7 attached to USS George Washington (CVN 73). He completed his Master's Degree at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., and then reported to VAW-120 in October 2004 for E-2C refresher training.

"Words cannot express the pride I feel when I see you [squadron personnel] at work," said Wieman. "I will always cherish the memory of working alongside you."

A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Stoops graduated from Virginia Tech University in 1987 and received a commission through Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1990.

"Cmdr. Wieman, congrats on a great tour, your second with the Bluetails. We wish you the best as you move on to your next assignment," said Stoops. "Bluetails of [VAW]-121, we must stand ready when the call comes. We will meet the challenges ahead and it is my honor to serve here with you."

For more news from Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, visit www.navy.mil/local/comnavairlant/.