Cmdr. Adam T. Carlstrom will relieve Cmdr. Scott P. Janik as Commanding Officer of Electronic Attack Squadron 135 (VAQ-135) on May 15, 2013.

Cmdr. Janik assumed command of VAQ-135 on March 9, 2012, while the Black Ravens were finishing their first work-up cycle in the EA-18G. During his command, Cmdr. Janik led VAQ-135 on its first expeditionary deployment in the Growler, flying combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The deployment was immensely successful and was a driving factor in the Black Ravens winning the Navy “E” Ribbon for the second time in the squadron’s history.

The command was also named the 2012 Chief of Naval Operations Safety “S” recipient. After deployment, Cmdr. Janik began the work-up cycle for VAQ-135’s next deployment with a detachment to Nellis AFB and a HARM shoot. While in command of the Black Ravens, Cmdr. Janik hit a career milestone of more than 3,000 hours total flight time in naval aircraft.

Cmdr. Adam T. Carlstrom is a native of Iowa City, Iowa, and graduated from Miami University in Ohio in 1995 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. He received his commission from Officer Candidate School in 1996, earned his naval flight officer wings in September 1997 and entered the fleet as an Electronic Countermeasures Officer in the EA-6B in 1999.

In April 1999, Cmdr. Carlstrom reported to VAQ-138. As a Yellow Jacket, he flew combat missions in support of Operation Allied Force and completed a cruise aboard the USS John C Stennis in support of Operation Southern Watch.

Upon completion of his first fleet tour, Cmdr. Carlstrom reported to VAQ-129 for duties as a Prowler Tactics Instructor, Carrier Qualification (CQ) ECMO and an augment instructor to the Electronic Attack Weapons School.

In May 2005, Cmdr. Carlstrom reported to VAQ-132 as the squadron Training Officer. Upon departure from the Scorpions, he began his Department Head tour with VAQ-140. During his tour the squadron flew combat missions in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.

After his Department Head tour, Cmdr. Carlstrom volunteered for a Global War on Terror Support Assignment (GSA) and served with the US Army’s 34th Infantry Division in Iraq as the Electronic Warfare Officer. In January 2010, Cmdr. Carlstrom reported to US Strategic Command in Omaha, NE. Cmdr. Carlstrom has logged more than 500 combat hours in support of Operations Allied Force, Southern Watch, Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. After his tour, Cmdr. Carlstrom spent 15 months as the VAQ-135 executive officer before assuming command.

The squadron also welcomes Cmdr. Daniel D. Moore as the new executive officer. Prior to joining the Black Ravens, Cmdr. Moore was at Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Cmdr. Moore has just completed his transition to the EA-18G Growler.