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Carrier Air Wing 9 Changes Hands

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110219-12
2/19/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Abbate, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- Capt. Dale Horan relieved Capt. Paul Haas as Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 during a change-of-command ceremony Feb. 17.

Capt. Dale Horan relieved Capt. Paul Haas during a traditional Navy aerial ceremony where both pilots fly in formation toward the ship. The relieving captain signals to his predecessor and the relieved captain flies off into the sun.

"The formation was like any other I have ever done before but this one had a symbolic lead change behind it," said Haas. "We do lead changes with members in flight all the time but to have one that symbols passing the torch was a joy to be a part of."

Haas said that he and Horan are like the "Odd Couple" since this is the third command they have served in together. Haas and Horan both were department heads in the "Bounty Hunters" of Fighter Squadron (VF) 2 and senior leadership in Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14.

"It has been an absolute honor and privilege serving with Horan on three separate tours, which we worked very closely together on this one," said Haas. "The air wing is in fantastic hands and couldn't have picked a better leader for CVW-9 than him."

"The Stennis team has been the best boat I have ever been on that sets the best environment for an air wing that I have ever been a part of," said Haas. "It's really been a great partnership and the highlight of my professional career. I wish the best for those who continue on deployment and look forward to reading up about how the ship is doing in the years to come."

Horan said the ship and the Strike Group went beyond expectations to make the change of command a memorable moment for the both of he and Haas.

"Haas is a great leader, inspiring individual and a very close personal friend who I am sad to see go," said Horan. "Today was a very bittersweet moment for me because it was an honor to share this tour with him and he will be missed."

As Haas' date of departure approached, Horan was steadily working toward the upcoming deployment and feels that the air wing's focus is still heading in a strong direction.

"We both knew that he wouldn't be around for the upcoming deployment, so he gave me a lot more say into have we executed the air wing's mission," said Horan.
Capt. Haas is scheduled to become Chief of Staff of Command Naval Air Force Atlantic.

This was the first aerial change of command for both Haas and Horan and although weather was a little rough, the overall ceremony was a big success.

"It was a fun and interesting ceremony, one that I enjoyed doing," said Horan. "The weather did add some perplexity to it but it really went off without a hitch and I couldn't have been happier with the outcome."

Now that he and Horan are finally going their separate ways, Haas plans to take with him many fond memories of their time aboard Stennis.