3 Change of Command of Blacklions
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CHANGE OF COMMAND Mark Fox. Following his Aide tour, he XO CDR Theresa Kaylor and PAO OF BLACKLIONS attended the Naval War College in LT Brian Weingart are leaving the Newport, RI where he graduated with ship. distinction. CDR Pinckney then reported to the “Swordsmen” of VFA-32 in NAS Oceana, VA. While with the “Swords- men”, he served as the Administration Officer, Maintenance Officer, and Op- erations Officer. He deployed to the USS CARTER HALL (LSD-50) CENTCOM AOR aboard USS HARRY CO: CDR LaDonna M. Simpson S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) from Sept 2013 XO: CDR Brad A. Fancher – April 2014 in support of Operation CMC: CMDCM Adam Singleton Enduring Freedom. During his tour, he Pat Robson, Liaison earned his CDO (underway), Air Wing Mission Commander, and Air Wing Greetings from the FIGHTIN 5-0! Rescue Mission Commander qualifica- There is no better way than under- tions. way! The CARTER HALL and crew In December 2015, CDR Pinckney have enjoyed being back on the open reported to US European Command in water, training, preparing, and execut- Stuttgart, Germany where he was as- ing. That has been our goal and aim signed to the J4 Directorate. He for quite some time now. In the year served as the Directorate’s Integrated CDR Bryan “STAG” Pinckney, a na- that has passed, the CARTER HALL Priority List manager, Annual Joint performed at a sustained superior tive of Richmond, VA, graduated from Assessment lead, and was a member Episcopal High School in Alexandria, level, and for such we were privileged of the Director’s Command Action to be selected as the winner of the VA followed by Vanderbilt University Group to spearhead USEUCOM’s with a B.A. in Political Science. He 2020 Battle Effectiveness and Com- Mobility Strategy. In November 2019, mand Excellence Award, the Battle E, was commissioned through NROTC in he joined the VFA-213 “Blacklions” as May 2002. for Amphibious Squadron 4. As the the Executive Officer. CAPT notes, “Every Sailor’s decisions CDR Pinckney was designated a CDR Pinckney has accumulated Naval Flight Officer (NFO) in Pensaco- and behavior create the culture in over 2600 flight hours, including over which we all live and work”. Attributing la, FL in March 2004. After advanced 2100 hours in the F/A-18D-F and training at VFA-122 at NAS Lemoore, the success of the CARTER HALL to more than 500 carrier arrested land- her crew, would be accurate, but CA, he was qualified as an F/A-18F ings. He is the recipient of the De- Super Hornet Weapons System Of- shortsighted. Without present, en- fense Meritorious Service Medal, Meri- gaged leadership, even the most well- ficer (WSO). In January 2005, CDR torious Service Medal, Strike Flight Air Pinckney reported to the “Black Aces” meaning Sailor can underperform. Medal (three awards), Navy Com- Thankfully, we have been outfitted not of VFA-41. He completed two Western mendation Medal (two awards) and Pacific deployments aboard the USS only with able bodied crew but diligent various campaign and unit medals. leaders who take the time necessary NIMITZ (CVN-68) in support of both Operations Enduring Freedom and to instill the discipline required in the (Photo & article provided by Blacklions crew of a warship. Truly, it takes all Iraqi Freedom. He also earned his PAO LTjg Mikaela Sakach) Strike-Fighter Weapon Training and hands-on deck to perform, but it takes focused effort to perform optimally. Tactics Level IV and FAC(A) qualifica- tions and served as Line Division and Not only does it take committed Air-To-Surface Weapons Trainings leadership, but it demands staunch ADOPTED SHIPS UPDATE Officer. support, and that’s where the Rich- In January 2008, he reported to the (note: these reports may be edited to mond Navy League stands tall. Our “Gladiators” of VFA-106 at NAS fit space available) “Deployment Dollars” program should Oceana, VA and qualified as an F/A- be up and running soon, and once we 18D-F Instructor WSO. At VFA-106, get it rolling, you can be sure the he served as 1st LT, Operation Ad- recipients will be grateful to the men ministration, Demonstration Team and women of the RNL for your con- tinued support. Again, quoting the Lead, and Strike Phase Head. While a member of the 2009 Super Hornet CAPT, “Relationships build trust and Tactical Demonstration Team, he per- USS NORMANDY (CG-60) trust is the foundation of high func- formed at the Sakhir Airbase for the CO: CAPT Charles Hampton tioning teams”. The relationship be- 2010 Bahrain International Airshow. XO: CDR Theresa L. Kaylor tween the Fightin’ 5-0 and RNL goes In December 2010, CDR Pinckney CMC: CMDCM Douglas Newman back a good ways. The tenure of this reported to C5F/USNAVCENT HQ in relationship itself is proof that relation- Manama, Bahrain where he served as Adam J. Fiedler, M.D., Liaison the Aide to the Commander, VADM George L. Feitig, Jr., Ass’t Liaison USS CARTER HALL cont. on page 4 3 .