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Carrier Air Wing 1 Changes Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090807-24
Release Date: 8/7/2009 9:45:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leslie Tomaino

OCEANA, Va. (NNS) -- Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 held a change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Aug 6.

Capt. Kenneth Whitesell relieved Capt. James Paulson as commander.

Paulson will transfer to Naval Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn. A 1983 graduate of Purdue University, Paulson was commissioned in 1984 and received his wings in September 1985. His previous assignments include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146, VFA-94, VFA-192 and deputy commander of CVW-1. He has logged more than 5,000 flight hours, including more than 3,000 hours in the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet and accumulated 968 carrier-arrested landings on 10 aircraft carriers.

Paulson is the recipient of the Meritorious Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with combat distinguishing device, eight Air Medal/Strike Flight Awards, two Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various campaign and service medals.

Whitesell most recently served as deputy commander, Carrier Air Wing 1. A 1983 graduate of Old Dominion University, he was commissioned at Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla., and designated a naval flight officer in October 1986. He is the recipient of the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

CVW 1 conducts offensive and defensive air operations against land and sea targets and provide carrier strike group defense. CVW 1 employs a mix of sophisticated aircraft to perform strike warfare, amphibious warfare, electronic warfare, airborne early warning, airborne command and control, sea control, air refueling, antisubmarine warfare and combat search and rescue missions.

CVW 1 is comprised of 60 aircraft in eight squadrons including F/A-18C/E/F Hornets and Super Hornets; E-2C Hawkeyes; EA-6B Prowlers; H-60 Seasprite helicopters; and C-2A Greyhounds. They are based at NAS Oceana, Va., Naval Station Norfolk, Va., NAS Jacksonville, Fla., NAS Whidbey Island, Wa., and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point N.C. One of the Hornet squadrons is a Marine Strike Fighter Squadron. CVW 1 is based out of NAS Oceana and has about 2,500 personnel.

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