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Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific Holds Change of Command

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS130302-02
3/2/2013

From Naval Air Force, Pacific, Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific (HSCWP) held a Change of Command Ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) on Feb. 28.

Capt. Shoshana Chatfield was relieved by Capt. Jack Schuller as Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific (HSCWP).

HSCWP is responsible for overseeing the operation of a Fleet Replacement Squadron, 11 Anti-Submarine and Sea Combat squadrons and a Weapons and Tactics School located at NAS North Island; Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan; and Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. HSCWP manages the administrative, operational and training requirements of over 4000 military personnel and maintenance requirements for 146 aircraft.

Chatfield had commanded Helicopter Sea Combat Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet since August 2011. During that time, she oversaw the transition of numerous squadrons from the SH-60F and HH-60H Seahawks to the MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter and the establishment of the first unmanned rotary squadron, HUQ-1.

During the ceremony, Chatfield thanked her staff and all of the HSC community for their dedication and professionalism and expressed her amazement at all they had accomplished.

Vice Adm. David Buss, Commander, Naval Air Forces presented Chatfield with Legion of Merit medal for increasing the operational capabilities of the MH-60S throughout the fleet, establishing the first ever Unmanned Helicopter Reconnaissance Squadron (HUQ-1), and flawlessly executing the HSCWP flight schedule, flying over 69,000 hours, supporting 369 Commander, THIRD Fleet requirements, 115 deck landing qualification periods, 17 plane guard/search and rescue requirements, and eight Carrier Air Wing and expeditionary deployments.

Chatfield's previous personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit awards.

Capt. Sunita L. Williams, NASA Astronaut, was the guest speaker for the event. Designated as a Naval Aviator in July, 1989, Williams reported for NASA training in August 1998, and has spent a total of 322 days in space and ranks sixth on the all-time U.S. endurance list, and second all-time for female astronauts.

Williams recounted numerous tales of her and Chatfield's experiences early in their Navy careers. She remarked how Chatfield's accomplishments inspired her and made her own pursuits seem more trivial.

Schuller, who served as the HSCWP Deputy Commodore, is from Boulder, Colorado, and was commissioned through Aviation Officer Candidate School after graduating from the University of Colorado. Designated as a naval aviator in 1991, his afloat tours include the VF-31 Tomcatters assigned to USS Forrestal (CV 59), two tours with the HS-2 Golden Falcons assigned to USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and USS Constellation (CV 64). He served two deployments supporting Operations Southern Watch and the opening days of Iraqi Freedom.

Schuller complimented Chatfield's leadership, 'I have never worked for a more visionary, energetic and impassioned leader.' He expressed his intention to continue to work together as a team to move the HSC community along the path that Chatfield placed it on.

Schuller's personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal (Strike/Fight), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign, unit and service medals.