• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

HSC-25 Island Knights Celebrate Change of Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100116-13
Release Date: 1/16/2010 8:31:00 AM

By Oyaol Ngirairikl, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 "Island Knights" held a change of command ceremony Jan. 15 at Andersen Air Force Base.

Commander Benjamin Reynolds relieved Cmdr. Paul Everly as commanding officer.

Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific and guest speaker Capt. Frank Harrison praised both officers, noting their achievements, leadership abilities and contributions to the notable performances of HSC-25 Sailors.

"Operationally and administratively, the Island Knights have excelled in the performance of everything that they've done, surpassing all expectations," Harrison said. "You've done so professionally and you've done it safely. This is where Skipper Everly was at his best. Leading his squadron, he created an environment that allowed his officers and Sailors to perform to the very best of their abilities and to come together as a team."

Everly took command of HSC-25 in September 2008. Under Everly, HSC-25 held an 80 percent re-enlistment rate, 37 percent advancement rate, and earned the Retention Honor Roll in every quarter that Everly was in command.

Addressing the squadron for the final time as their commanding officer, Everly praised the Sailors for their professionalism.

"It's everyone in the squadron that has helped us meet that mission," he said. "The pride shows in their condition of the aircrafts, the condition of the hangar spaces and more importantly in everyone's attitude."

During Everly's tenure, HSC-25 deployed nine detachments with Essex Expeditionary Strike Group, multiple 7th Fleet Military Sealift Command ships, and combat units in Iraq and Kuwait. The detachments provided humanitarian assistance following typhoons and medical evacuations for coalition soldiers.

Additionally under his guidance, HSC-25 launched 66 search and rescue missions in the Marianas region.

"The hard work, the deployments both in the desert and with 7th Fleet on USS Essex (LHD 2) and USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), this command has just done fantastic things," he said. "That along with the medevacs, search and rescue missions around the island - they've impressed me every day. It's truly been a fantastic 15 months."

Everly is scheduled to next serve as the MH-60 Sea Hawks requirements officer for the chief of naval operations in Arlington, Va.

Harrison said he is confident in Reynolds as a "tremendously talented" successor to Everly and is looking forward to HSC-25's continued professionalism and excellent performance. Reynolds joined HSC-25 in 2008 as the squadron's executive officer.

"I have no doubt that this is the best squadron in the Navy," said Reynolds. "I have deployed with many of you. I have marveled as you excelled in combat and on the open oceans far away from your families. And the crazy thing about this squadron is as you come home you still work tirelessly for the unique missions that we do here in Guam."

HSC-25 is the Navy's only forward deployed vertical replenishment squadron, providing deployed ships a rapid, safe and versatile means of re-supplying diminishing stores. In addition, HSC 25 provides 24-hour search and rescue and medical evacuation services for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas, visit www.navy.mil/local/guam/.