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Wasp Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080411-13
Release Date: 4/11/2008 1:57:00 PM

From USS Wasp Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- USS Wasp (LHD 1) held a change of command ceremony, April 11 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va.

Capt. Daniel H. Fillion relieved Capt. Michael D. Hawley as commanding officer.

To show his appreciation to the Wasp crew, Hawley ordered the ceremony to be conducted in working uniforms, vice the traditional Service Dress Blues, and even provided chairs so his Sailors could sit, rather than have them stand in formation.

Rear Adm. Gary Hall, commandant of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, was the guest speaker.

"From the first time I saw Wasp, I've had a special place in my heart for this ship," said Hall. "It's because of Sailors like you. You serve the country during a time of war, and it is you who truly are heroes. I want to thank you for your service to the country, the Navy, and especially USS Wasp."

Commissioned through the Aviation Officer Candidate School on Dec. 7, 1984, Fillion was designated a Naval Aviator in 1986. After serving as a pilot with numerous squadrons, he was assigned as the executive officer (XO)for the HSL-51 "Warlords" in May 2001, and became their ninth commanding officer in September 2002.

He went on to serve as the Navigator aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and, in May 2005, became the 16th commanding officer of HSL-41. Later that year, he was selected to be the first commanding officer of HSM-41. In November 2005, he was selected for Major Command at Sea and reported aboard Wasp in October 2006 as the executive officer.

Coming back to the ship to serve as her CO (commanding officer) is a special honor to Fillion.

"The crew of the good ship Wasp truly impressed me during my time as XO," he said. "Now I have been given the opportunity to come back here again, and lead these incredible Sailors as their CO. I look forward to all of the great accomplishments Team Wasp will achieve in the future."

Before Fillion and Hawley officially turned over command, the Hawley reflected on his time aboard Wasp.

"As the commanding officer of any Navy warship, there is a certain amount of pride you feel with every success the ship has," Hawley said. "From LOA, ULTRA-E, and ULTRA-C to the Retention Excellence Awards, CNO Safety Award, and Battle 'E', the Sailors aboard this ship have continuously shown the rest of the Navy what it really means to excel. I am proud to have served as CO of Wasp, and I thank you for everything you've accomplished. All ships on the waterfront have a reputation, and you should be very proud of the reputation Wasp has earned."

With the reading of orders, and an exchange of salutes, Fillion, a native of Goose Creek, S.C., became the 15th commanding officer.

Fillion thanked his predecessor for the efforts he put forth while serving as commanding officer, as well as for turning over a ship recognized throughout the fleet as being one of the best. Wasp recently received the Battle "E" award and is a contender to become the first amphibious ship to win the coveted Battenberg Cup.

"There are leaders you run into during a Navy career who have an undisputed positive impact on everything they touch," said Fillion. "Capt. Hawley is definitely one of those leaders. He has taken this ship, and through his own unique brand of leadership, motivation, and discipline, led the Wasp crew to truly believe his often-repeated phrase, 'We're the number one ship in the fleet.' I want the crew to know that it is your commitment to being number one that keeps us on top. I am honored to be standing here as your commanding officer."

For more news from USS Wasp, visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd1/.