Another ceremony March 25 in Hangar 6 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island saw the command of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 change from Capt. Garner D. Morgan to Capt. Peter A. Garvin.
Morgan described his time at NASWI as “the best 18 months of my life.” His next assignment will be as Head Placement Officer with the Navy Bureau of Personnel in Millington, Tenn. His view of the command change was philosophical.
“Change is a necessary ingredient for progress,” he said.
Guest speaker for the ceremony was Vice Admiral Allen Myers, commander of Naval Air Forces, who reminded everyone in attendance of the long history of naval aviation
“Patrol and reconnaissance traces its roots back to the early days,” he said, pointing out the pivotal role the Navy plays in conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. “In the past 100 years, naval aviation has grown to be a critical element in our security.”
Myers went on to praise Capt. Morgan for his command of Wing 10, which included detaching 78 combat and reconnaissance aircrews to forward-deployed locations around the world, safely carrying out more than 4,000 combat sorties.
“Your success is a direct result of superb leadership,” Myers said.
After the reading of orders, command of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10 was officially handed over to Capt. Garvin, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. His most recent assignment was as executive assistant to the director, Operational Plans and Joint Force Development Directorate on the Joint Staff.
Garvin arrived at NAS Whidbey Island early and has had an opportunity to get to know the men and women in his command. He was full of praise for them.
“The talent in this wing is truly extraordinary,” he said.
Wing 10 is comprised of approximately 2,300 personnel and 49 aircraft which make up Maritime Patrol squadrons VP-1, VP-40 and VP-46; Reserve Maritime Patrol squadron VP-69; and Fleet Air Reconnaissance squadrons, VQ-1 and VQ-2, which fly the P-3C Orion and the EP-3 Aries, respectively.
