Several units welcome new commanders

Posted to: Military

The Virginian-Pilot
© July 10, 2009

Change-of-command season continues throughout the region, with several more military units welcoming new leaders. According to news releases:

At Marine Corps Intelligence Schools at Oceana Naval Air Station's Dam Neck Annex, Col. Robert W. "Bill" Coate is set to receive the colors today from Col. Francis X. "Frank" Cubillo. Coate most recently served as the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force's assistant chief of staff in intelligence in Okinawa, Japan. Cubillo is retiring.

At Langley Air Force Base, Col. Timothy M. Ray, the deputy director of air and space operations at Air Combat Command, has been assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command in Louisiana. Ray has also been selected for the rank of brigadier general. Also at Langley, Col. Mark A. Cooter has assumed command of the 497th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group. He had served as the chief of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Division at U.S. Central Command in Florida.

On the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey has relieved Capt. Walter E. Carter Jr. as commanding officer. Carter has been selected for the rank of rear admiral and will become commander of Joint Enabling Capabilities Command in Suffolk. Lindsey previously commanded the amphibious assault ship Dubuque.

At Submarine Squadron 8 at Norfolk Naval Station, Capt. Frank Cattani has relieved Capt. Robert Kelso. Cattani had served as the senior board member on the U.S. Fleet Forces Command Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board. Kelso will now be on the staff of Commander, Submarine Force.

At Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Norfolk, Capt. Kevin R. Slates, who has been selected for promotion to rear admiral, will be assigned as commander. Slates has served as chief of staff of Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Washington.

Aboard the destroyer Laboon, Cmdr. Donald J. Donegan has relieved Cmdr. David M. McFarland. Donegan had served on the Joint Staff as a military education policy planner. McFarland will now be in the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon.

Aboard the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, Cmdr. Scott A. Kartvedt relieved Cmdr. Paul S. Olin as commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 83, the "Rampagers," on June 28. Kartvedt previously served as the squadron's executive officer. Olin's next assignment is as commanding officer of the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School at Fallon Naval Air Station in Nevada.

Free bus Trip to D.C. planned for World War II vets

A free bus trip to Washington for World War II veterans from Hampton Roads is being planned for Oct. 17 by Honor Flight Historic Triangle Virginia.

The group accepts donations to defray the cost of the trip. Guardians are also being sought to accompany the veterans.

Details: www.HonorFlightHTVA.org or (877) 424-8387.

EVENT

5K and 1 mile run/walk Benefits Operation Homefront Hampton Roads, 6 a.m. July 25, Fort Story, Virginia Beach. (757) 272-6122; www.operationhomefront.net/hamptonroads.

Military briefs run every Friday.

Send submissions to military@pilotonline.com.

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