Cmdr. Chad J. Livingston relieved Cmdr. Matthew T. Frauenzimmer as commanding officer of Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 during a ceremony at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, June 10.
“Very few times in my life have I got my number one choice,” said Frauenzimmer. “Coming to 46 was one of those times.”
Frauenzimmer, a native of San Clemente, Calif., is a 1997 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. In May 2014, he reported to VP-46 as the squadron’s executive officer. His next duty station is working for Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group. During Frauenzimmer’s time as the commanding officer, the squadron earned the Retention Excellence Award.
“The Retention Excellence Award, for me, is one of the biggest awards a squadron can get,” said Frauenzimmer. “As a group of leaders we are doing the right thing to create that culture and environment where people can grow and have success.”
With the change of command right after deployment, it leaves plenty of room for opportunity.
“You guys are in great hands,” said Frauenzimmer. “Cmdr. Livingston brings perspective having just seen a deployment with 46, so he knows what the squadron needs done during homecycle.”
This is Livingston’s third time on Whidbey Island. After completion of Fleet Replacement training, he reported to VP-1 in March 2001. Later, he reported to VP-40 in June 2009 where he completed his department head tour. Now, he is back on the island completing his XO/CO tour.
“I absolutely look forward to leading the Grey Knights to continued success as their commanding officer,” said Livingston. “We have a busy inter-deployment readiness cycle (IDRC) in front of us with the goal of deploying forward next year, fully prepared to support our fleet commanders.”
“Even though VP-46 is ‘the oldest and the best,’ I believe it’s possible for us to be better, and I think we will achieve this goal by focusing on three things: doing the right thing; helping shipmates be successful; and holding ourselves accountable when required,” said Livingston. “It has been an honor and a privilege to have been a part of the Grey Knight legacy over the course of the last year serving as the executive officer, and it will continue to be so over the course of the year to come.”
VP-46 performs anti-submarine warfare (ASW), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and anti-surface warfare (ASUW). They are homeported out of NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.