“Liberty Bells” Change Command aboard USS GW

The “Liberty Bells” of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115 held a change of command ceremony aboard the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while on patrol, Sept. 12.

During the ceremony, Cmdr. Michael France assumed command of VAW-115 from Cmdr. Cynthia Dieterly.

In a display of aircraft readiness and airmanship, the ceremony included two E-2C Hawkeyes flying above George Washington, each carrying France and Dieterly as Capt. William Koyama, commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, read official orders and executed the change of command in an EA-18G Growler from the “Shadowhawks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141.

Dieterly reflected on both her professional and personal growth over the past year and expressed appreciation for the Sailors of VAW-115.

VAW-115, assigned to CVW-5 and embarked aboard George Washington, are on patrol supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.