USA: TACRON 21 Changes Command

Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 21 held a change of command ceremony Oct. 25 at the Brashear Conference Center on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Virginia Beach, Va.

Cmdr. William C. Bushman relieved Cmdr. Lloyd B. Mack as commanding officer.

Initially reporting as Executive Officer (XO) June 2013, Mack “fleeted up” to commanding officer in Aug. 2012.

“I am grateful that I had the opportunity to lead such an outstanding squadron,” said Mack. “The men and women of TACRON 21 made my job easier. It has been a real honor to serve as their commanding officer.”

Under Mack’s guidance, TACRON 21 provided air control detachments to USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS Bataan (LHD 5) while conducting military operations throughout the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. Responsible for safe air control, the squadron supported more than 5,900 operational flight hours and the use of expeditionary air assets to accomplish a wide range of military missions.

Guest speaker, Rear Adm. Rick P. Snyder, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2, spoke at the ceremony, highlighting his confidence in the squadron.

“Cmdr. Mack, your leadership, guidance and foresight has been extraordinary,” said Snyder. “Thank you for a job well done.”

Mack’s follow-on assignment is at the Director of Navy Staff at the Pentagon.

Addressing the squadron for the first time as commanding officer, Bushman expressed his excitement at starting his new role.

“It has been an extreme honor to be Cmdr. Mack’s XO,” said Bushman. “TACRON 21 is an amazing group of Sailors – I couldn’t be more excited to serve as their commanding officer.”

Bushman graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1996 with a B.S. in Political Science. After receiving his commission, Bushman went on to become a naval aviator, flying P-3C Orion aircraft, serving in numerous billets and deploying across the globe.

Home to 93 sailors and airmen, TACRON 21 trains, deploys and supports combat-ready TACRON detachments providing centralized planning, control, coordination and integration of amphibious and expeditionary combat air operations.

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Press Release, October 28, 2013; Image: US Navy