Posted on 01/27/2006 9:51:59 PM PST by A.A. Cunningham
Marine Corps Colonel Makes History as Navy Leader
Friday, January 27, 2006
By JO3 S. C. Irwin / PH3 Timothy Sosa - Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific
SAN DIEGO - Marine Corps Col. Douglas P. Yurovich made history as the first Marine aviator ever to assume command of a Navy Carrier Air Wing (CVW 9), during a ceremony aboard USS Midway Jan. 19. Yurovich relieved Navy Capt. Michael Spence, who will next serve as the assistant chief of staff for plans and policy at Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain. CVW 9, also known as the Shogun Strike Team, is sited in Lemoore, Calif.
"I'm honored to be taking over Carrier Air Wing 9 and representing the Marine Corps. I believe I'm representing all of the Marines who have ever served on carrier strike groups," said Yurovich, who had served as deputy commander of CVW 9 since August 2004. "I found out 37 months ago that I was selected for this job and now I'm finally taking command."
Commissioned in 1979, the Marine Corps veteran has served at several duty stations including Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla. in 1980 for initial flight training and as chief staff officer of CVW 1 aboard USS America (CV 66) in 1995. He now heads CVW 9's 2,000 personnel and nine squadrons stationed on bases along the West Coast.
Yurovich is "the exact right guy at the right time for this job" said guest speaker, Vice Adm. James M. Zortman, commander of Naval Air Forces. "A lot of people want to make a big deal about the fact that the person stepping into this job is a Marine. The Navy and Marine Corps team is more integrated than ever. This is not new on any level."
CVW 9 recently completed an around-the-world deployment in July 2005 as part of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Carrier Strike Group. The air wing completed many training missions, as well as, raided an enemy insurgent location near Baghdad in April 2005. As the 49th commander of CVW 9, Yurovich said he would help maintain the standards of war fighting his predecessors have already established.
"We were in OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom), we took the fight to the enemy and we went to battle the war on terror," Yurovich said. "Air Wing 9 will continue to train to be ready and to be combat ready to fall upon to support the global war on terror."
CVW-9 is comprised of: VFA-146 "Blue Diamonds," VFA-147 "Argonauts," VFA-154 "Black Knights," VMFA-323 "Death Rattlers," VAW-112 "GoldenHawks," VAQ-138 "Yellowjackets," VS-33 "Screwbirds," and HS-8 "Eightballers." During operations at sea, CVW-9 is augmented by detachment from VRC-30 "Providers."
Marine Corps Col. Douglas P. Yurovich assumes command of Navy Carrier Air Wing, CVW 9, during a ceremony aboard USS Midway (CV 41). Yurovich makes military history as the first Marine aviator to assume command of a Navy carrier air wing. Yurovich relieved Capt. Michael Spence, who will next serve as the assistant chief of staff for plans and policies at Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, Bahrain. Official U.S. Navy by PH3 Timothy F. Sosa
I suspect about zero.
As to having his particular skills... I'm guessing (again) about zero (otherwise maybe they would be doing the job).
I've never flown anything but single engine land (and not much of that!). Then again, I've never made googly-eyes in a picture meant for public distribution either!
To anyone considering pics like this...Save the wacky look for the "wallets"; Go with the "steely-eyed" look for the 8x10s.
Did you ever think it might just be the photographer?
I seriously doubt he signed off on THAT pic.
It was quite spooky.
You are a stand-up guy, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate that. ;o)
You've flown single engine?
That is something I, especially, respect.
I like flying in things that resemble my living room. lol
I bet that no one meant any disrespect to the good Colonel. (And it sure is fun to have a good chuckle at a funny pic!)
I've only flown a very little bit. I loved every minute that I was by myself. (Soloing was a very big confidence booster!) When I reach a decent salary again (ANY salary would be nice!), I hope to pick it back up. It's terribly costly.
I'm also more addicted to comfort than I was then. Watching "The Right Stuff" on the couch while drinking a sweet tea and gnawing on BBQ really does appeal "comfort-wise".
I cant believe that Col let that picture out there...
LOL! It's a sure bet that he's no runaway Marine though.
Now, Normy, Marines are like Chuck Norris. They don't run away, they just kill in a different direction...
At least the snipes are safe.
Yep even the MAA's didn't go there. Some scuttlebutt about about creatures with a rope and full can of graphite grease kept the faint of heart away. LOL
We're taking over people. The Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is now a Marine. SOCOM just got adult supervision from America's First Team. Now we're taking over naval aviation too.
Things are getting better in America. Relax everyone.
Hey, you Army guys. Anyone have a link to the 82nd Airborne's "new" web site?
Finally... the military is in competent hands all the way around! :)
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That is a hard way (no pun intended) to earn a 10 point preference.
Yea well we have the means in post 29 to ward off wogs and others who dare try to conquer the royal domain of the ship called "THE HOLE". The Airedales though are on their own LOL. Besides we used to play a fun game called MARDET Bowling. Take a group of snipes or other squids assigned to Fire Department and put on turtle shell with OBA's. Grab one 50 pound C02 bottle and during fire drill run low and fast seeking out Marines who didn't make a hole in the passageway. All was fair game once the fire bell rang. I can't remember how we did the points though. :>}
In a message to all Marines worldwide, the Commandant recently informed his troops that Marines were to cease and desist from using the age old term "Squid" to refer to members of the Navy.
"Use of this word to refer to a member of the Navy is totally inappropriate", the Commandant said. "According to Webster's Dictionary," the Commandant's message continues, "Squid is defined as 'a higher form of marine life'. Obviously, we can not use it to refer to sailors."
That it is! If you have a problem with too much money, flying for fun will take care of it.
Amen! It certainly did a number on my wallet in the past!
-ccm
So9
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