VRC 40 Rawhides Celebrate 50th Anniversary During Change Of Command
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS100719-12
7/19/2010
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leslie Tomaino,
NORFOLK (NNS) -- Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC 40) Sailors celebrated the command's 50th anniversary during a change of command ceremony July 16.
During the celebration and change of command, Cmdr. Sean McDermott relieved Cmdr. Charles Hayden as VRC 40 commanding officer.
Commodore David L. Buttram, Commander, Airborne Command Control and Logistics Wing was the guest speaker, and thanked past squadron members for their attendance at the ceremony.
"Thanks to those who are here, reminding us of what we were and what we are now," he said. "A lot of the legacy of excellence that is here now, is due to the ground work and foundation you laid."
Buttram also presented the squadron with their second consecutive Battle "E" Award and commented on VRC-40's legacy in naval aviation history.
"We've had 50 years as a Navy squadron and we're getting ready to celebrate the Centennial of Naval Aviation next year," he said. "So for half of naval aviation's existence, the Rawhides have been bringing it to the fight and doing great things."
Immediately following the change of command, there was a legacy flyover featuring a C-1 "Trader" in formation with a VRC-40 C-2A "Greyhound."
Additionally, there was a performance by the Navy parachute demonstration team the Leapfrogs and several aircraft were on static display including a C-1 Trader, C-2A Greyhound, T-39 Saberliner, C-130 Hercules, V-22 Osprey, MH-53 Sea Stallion, SH-60 Seahawk, T-2 Buckeye and T-6 Texan II.
During the change of command portion of the ceremony, Hayden addressed VRC 40 Sailors and guests.
"I've had the pleasure of being your skipper and I'm honored to have served with each and every one of you," he said. "Let it be known that you're not just a good squadron, you have proven yourself to be a great squadron within our Navy. That's not easy to do, so take pride in it and carry on the Rawhide tradition."
After McDermott took the reins of VRC-40, he addressed the squadron for the first time as commanding officer.
"This squadron never stops - not once," he said. "There's no such thing as an operational pause or taking a break. We're always moving, and I like that."
The ceremony included remarks from five former Rawhides; one from each decade of the squadron's operational history.
Retired Cmdr. Jeff Walker, stationed at VRC-40 in the 1960's spoke on behalf of that decade's Sailors, some of whom were present at the event, and about his own experiences.
"The whole atmosphere of how things are run has changed," Walker said. "All of us old '60s guys thank you for this ceremony. We've had a wonderful time. It's a great day, and it was a great day to be a Rawhide."
Current Rawhide Command Master Chief Michael Reese said the opportunity to meet with another generation of Sailors was invaluable for VRC 40 Sailors.
"This means a great deal to all of the Sailors at the Command," he said. "It's not every day that you get to be a part of something of this magnitude. They had the opportunity to meet and speak with former Rawhides from as early as 1961 - not something a lot of commands get the chance to do."
VRC-40 has provided Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) services to the Navy's East Coast-based aircraft carriers operating in the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Fleets since July 1960.
Their mission includes delivery of cargo, mail, and personnel to the ships at sea. The squadron delivers an average of three million pounds of mail and cargo annually while completing more than 1,000 arrested landings.
Additionally, VRC 40 has transported numerous celebrities and national leaders including astronauts Alan Shepard and Scott Carpenter, Tiger Woods, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Bruce Willis, Charlie Daniels, Jimmy Buffet and Robin Williams.
The squadron is composed of 400 officers and enlisted Sailors and operates 12 aircraft aboard five aircraft carriers.
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