HSM 46 Gets New Commander

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46 held a change of command ceremony Aug. 14 at Naval Station Mayport.

Cmdr. Grahame Dicks relieved Cmdr. Michael Weaver as the squadron’s commanding officer.

Originally established in 1988 as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 46, today HSM 46 trains and supports combat ready detachments of pilots, aircrew and maintenance technicians for assignment and deployment aboard U.S. Fleet Forces surface combatants.

Weaver assumed command of the Grandmasters in May 2013. During his tenure as commanding officer, the squadron deployed four MH-60R helicopter detachments and two MQ-8 Fire Scout detachments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and overseas contingency operations.

Previously, Weaver deployed three times with HSL 42 over two tours and flawlessly led a detachment as officer in charge. He completed his tour at HSL 42 as the squadron operations officer and was awarded the commander, Naval Air Forces Award for leadership. Previous assignments include various staffs in the Washington D.C. area, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs (J-8) of Staff and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (N78). Weaver’s next assignment will be to U.S. Southern Command in Miami, Florida.

Dicks is a native of La Canada, California, and received his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 1996. His career has included two deployments with HSL 46, a tour with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1, where he participated in the successful operational evaluation of the MH-60R, and a tour as flag aide for commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic. More recently, he deployed with HSL 44 as detachment officer in charge aboard USS Monterey (CG 61) in support of Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group. He was subsequently assigned to the Joint Staff (J-3) as operations officer for the deputy director for regional operations.

Cmdr. Chris Richard, previously assigned to the Commander’s Action Group at United States Southern Command, will take over as executive officer for the Grandmasters.