 The change of command ceremony is a time-honored product of the rich heritage of naval tradition which formally reached the continuity of command to its officers and crew. Naval regulations dictate that the commanding officer and his relief shall conduct the change of command in front of all squadron personnel and the heart of the ceremony is the formal transition of authority and responsibility to the relieving officer from the officer on off button couldn't find it and there goes the speech we're winning already all right hey thanks btm appreciate the introduction bunny sparky thank you for having me here today and for letting me fly with you this morning the best speakers are fast or funny I've got nothing but but bad dad jokes at least my daughter tells me so I'm gonna strive for speed over humor I also do think it's funny how they got the tallest podium I think on the flight line for me here today so soon to be skipper sparky's gonna make it look good I don't bunny it was honored to be part of your last flight today while you're in command of the diamond backs I've thoroughly enjoyed serving with you here in Carrying 5 I've learned a ton from you during our time together here you've built a heck of a team a team that the air wing the strike group seventh fleet and all the way up to the commando command commander of Indo-Pacific Pacom Indo-Pacific command rely upon to get the job done bunny is a tenured aviator here in the air wing he was one of the few that even predates COVID here in CAG 5 he has led the dime backs through three deployment cycles including the last two that were truly unique no one likes talking about COVID but I'm gonna just for a few minutes all right COVID first impacted CAG 5 when the air wing was in Guam for detachment in 2020 just about two years ago today when COVID made its appearance bunny was part of the leadership team that had to figure out how to get the air wing back to you a Cooney from Guam within 24 hours after they got home they had to figure out how to create a COVID free bubble for 1500 you a Cooney based Batman sailors then send all of them through UO to for fclps which in only house about 600 people at a time and eventually out to the carrier for carrier qualifications and deployment they manage this cobalt COVID bubble for about eight straight weeks ever since COVID has been the elephant in the room or in the hangar tracking vaccination status arrival ROM quarantine various liberty policies and COVID's impact to readiness has been a full-time job for most on top of everything just mentioned a commanding officer also has to ensure his or her command is ready to deploy bunny did just that under bunny's leadership the diamond backs prepared themselves in CAG 5 as a whole for battle last summer CAG 5 and Ronald Reagan found ourselves unexpectedly deployed to the US Central Command the first time for CAG 5 since 2003 and the first time ever for the diamond backs while operating the Super Hornet the diamond backs of the close air support subject matter S. Brooks for carrier wing 5 they made sure we were already their efforts resulted in CAG 5 safely executing over 300 combat sorties providing armed overwatch for the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and amazingly the evacuation of 10 tens of thousands Afghan citizens the diamond backs were the first to launch on our rival and the last section airport on our final day in country bunny thank you again for everything you have done for the diamond backs in CAG 5 your inspired leadership reaches farther than you will ever know I'm gonna go off script for a second here today and and this is always a bad thing when I do this but I can say that commander O'Hara bleeds naval aviation he cares more than anyone I've ever met and he showed that again this morning when COVID first hit this squadron in January of 2021 when we got back from leave last year commander O'Hara stood the watch actually in the Reading Room for about 36 straight hours when when everyone had to scatter for a little bit he cares very deeply about each and every one of you and each every one of your families and and bunny that that's a unique trait and and I really appreciate it no one serves alone back on script now no one serves alone and you have had the support we all have some sort of support network to the O'Hara family thank you for your support to bunny and thank you for the support your support to our sailors sparky I look forward to watching you lead the diamond backs into the future you Ashley Rhodes and Alexander are a wonderful people and I'm confident the diamond backs are in good hands enjoy the ride it goes by way too fast Chuckie you're out there somewhere I know it welcome aboard there is I hope you Nicole Caitlin and Johnny enjoy your time here in Japan it is a hard tour but a very rewarding one bunny thank you again I appreciate everyone's time and attention thank you ladies and gentlemen the commanding officer strike fighter squadron one zero two commander Daniel bunny O'Hara okay I don't I don't really know how to follow that but I think you are far too kind in your words I hope that I hope that you have learned as much for me as I have from you and your leadership you truly care about the men and women of this air wing and you teach that to us each and every day and you certainly did is decad you have made me a better man much like the men and women of the diamond backs certainly Tim and Ashley and I will get back to you shortly but sir I have learned a tremendous amount from you and I'm truly humbled to have served with you decad welcome it's great to have you back really enjoyed our time at top gun together and I know that you're gonna take this air wing to new heights bad man CO's and exos decad said it best you can't do this alone you guys always had a an ear a voice you would listen you would give me guidance you'd pump me up when I was down can't do this alone and you guys were always there it's been an honor to serve with you guys to the Iwakuni families and I've got something specific to all the families it really is a giant family here the thing I was the most nervous about coming to Japan was being in my mid 40s and single and feeling that I was gonna be isolated and alone and that was the last thing from the case there are several families here in attendance and I'm gonna tell you exactly what it was that they did for me that made all this even possible to the diamond back spouses the sacrifices that you guys endure for the men and women behind you are unbelievable in a measurable the support and love that you provide to allow them to be the men and women to protect our nation to go out holding the family together so there's something to come home back to is far more of a sacrifice than any of us in uniform will ever know or endure quite honestly to the world's finest fighter squadron would arrive after three years I've got some specifics and I'll get to it but I'm truly humbled to have been able to serve alongside each and every one of you I am truly a better man because of everybody in this Hanger Bay I came out here nervous I didn't know what I was getting into felt like I wasn't prepared and every day you guys gave me reassurance hope courage again an ear to vent to to get through all the challenges we faced three years together and all I wanted today I'm not a big ceremonies guy I really just wanted today to be about thanking everybody who even made this possible for 20 years the thing that I think I've learned the most it's not the jets it's not the flying it's not the debts the poor calls it's the people it really is the men and women that you share these experiences and life with or what make this what it is I've been truly humbled with the men and women I've had the chance to serve alongside names like Waldo we walled Trevor Estes Eric Ilston Brian Kessel ring Dallas Jamison Adam Cohen Tim Charlebois Colonel Senate my first air or my first on-wing in flight school butters Vespa and I could go on and on and on there's some of the best friends a guy could ever have peer leadership is difficult and they would provide that when I needed it and they were always there to bring me up when I was down I'll never forget the tight merges the days on the ski slopes the cowboy time clearly the flying but I'm telling you it's the men and women that make this all possible and this is what I hope everybody walks away with you're surrounded by some of the best people our country has to offer and I hope that you take full advantage of that I'm fortunate enough today that my first CMC was gracious enough to come down from Yacosco O'Neill I can't even begin to describe what it means to me that you're here and everything that you did for me I wouldn't have gone through EO 2020 without you I certainly wouldn't and I know you know that the first appointment was tough you taught me to look out and care for myself man you're a wonderful individual Desiree are on Budsman thank you for being the support that our families needed here to get us through these challenging times to be the conduit for Tim and I to make sure that the men and women and their families were cared for I know the challenges that you face were immeasurable but you did it with grace and you did it with style and Tim and I are forever grateful for what you did for us to take care of our families so when I mentioned it was about the people there are some families here that it took me in as one of their own and made sure that I was never alone that I always had a meal support friends and people to do stuff with to Adam Kristen Ava may Marley Jack the water die the Legos the days to park the times of the boardwalk in Oceania with the chocolate shakes all over your clothes God I'm so lucky that you guys came up here and we got to overlap again to Shannon Dave Easton Avery you guys were fantastic neighbors and friends though in the football goofing about Harry Potter you guys keeping me company Shannon to you you allow me to be the man the man that these men and women deserve to stay late at work and I could come home and there was a meal in the refrigerator I don't have the words to Brent Stacy Evan Quinn and Reese the Jake was greeted me when I first got here made me feel welcome they took me out they showed me around Japan they made me feel comfortable being overseas without my own family the Evans family with Harry Corey Asher and Everett the trampoline days the throwing them up in the air the game nights I'll never forget that stuff and finally I'll get to Tim but Ashley Rhodes and Alexander to Christmas is together you open your home to me getting to hold Rhodes read of books put him to bed take him to the park carry him in the backpack on the hikes getting to hold and feed Alexander I love you guys and Tim you know who I am you put up with me you let me be me you let me become the CEO that I wanted to be dude you are ready for this job you've been ready and I want you to know man I'll always be here for you and your family to the diamond backs it's three years of memories the ups and downs the highs and lows the positives the negatives all that type of stuff I just want to say thank you for three wonderful years full of memories I appreciate your patience and your understanding as Tim and I navigated this thing called command I didn't know what I was getting into but you made me a better person and I learned a tremendous amount from all of you and I will carry that forward for the rest of my life you guys are an extremely good hands with Tim and Lynn and John and his family Lynn you have been a godsend your energy your excitement your enthusiasm and your care for the sailors is unbelievable we are truly lucky to have you as a member of this team I only wish I had more time with you our department heads are wonderful you guys have done an amazing job mentoring the JOs into the lethal cadre of aviators that they are today and I'm forever humbled to have served alongside you see rock thank you for putting up with me during the fat case syllabus all my rants in the jet to do my last flight the chiefs and the ground officers are truly our backbone I've learned so much from you on how to care and take care of the sailors to make sure that they succeed in life and we make the right decisions for the men and women of this organization to the training officers thank you for reinvigorating the desire to be a patch wearer you know how important that is to me and I'm forever indebted to you for igniting that fire under this extremely talented jail cadre and finally for the diving backs of the Jopa Nicole a heartfelt thank you to you for even setting this up and the amount of effort that you put forth to make this day even possible the JOs and the sailors of the lifeblood of any organization when I was down when I was tired your enthusiasm and your energy or what kept him and I going I gave you the analogy of the human body yesterday but it is the JOs and the sailors that are the heart and soul of any organization flying has been my life my passion I love it with all my heart but without you it wouldn't be possible your blood sweat efforts you going above and beyond allowed the men and women in the flights is to do what they truly love to do for a living so as I walk away I want you to remember that this is a team sports about teamwork nobody can do this alone I certainly couldn't I needed Tim I needed Lynn I needed O'Neill we need each other please be there for one another to get through the challenges I asked that you become a better man or woman on the backside of this experience to make sure that it was worthwhile but enjoy yourself along the way I certainly did Tim and I will know that we truly did our job correctly and we did it properly when we see your names on the chief select or the command screen list in a couple years I look forward to seeing the names of Nordley over cash burns Robinson Vermilie Chen McGowan on those command screen lists but I couldn't finish if I didn't thank my family they couldn't be here today obviously due to the travel restrictions and I haven't seen them since December of 2018 so I think it's time for me to go home they made my biggest advocates to tell us just a little boy it took me to see Top Gunn on the first day that it came out the air shows my grandfather taking me up in this little plane and here I am 20 years later able to live my dreams as a child how many people can say that they've been my biggest cheerleaders and my biggest advocates no matter how much of a misfit or I misbehaved they were always there for me and they never let that scared little boy who stared at the skyward wishing he was part of it give up on his dreams mom dad Ryan Mike Rachel Laurie Jim Sandy grandma and grandpa this tour was for you this career was for you I'm sorry for all the birthdays holidays special occasions that I've missed however I'm finally coming home I love you all thank you for making this life possible for me well all military guests please rise for the presentation of war by captain Sweeney commander carrier wing 5 attention to award the president of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the military service metal to commander Daniel K. O'Hara United States Navy for services asset 4th in the following citation for outstanding military service while serving as commanding officer and a fit of officer in a strike fighter squadron 102 from February 2019 to February 2022 commander O'Hara superior leadership guided the largest squadron a carrier wing 5 through 8 joint and combined exercises for detachments and for deployments on board USS Ronald Reagan commander O'Hara's inspirational leadership transformed strike fighter squadron 102 into the most combat effective unit in carrier wing 5 as a carrier wing 5 strike lead coordinator he skillfully got to the entire carrier wing into combat operations during the clothing closing months of operation freedom sentinel where squadron accomplished a 100% combat sortie completion rate providing armed overwatch during the critical period surrounding the retrograde of American forces and non combat evacuation in Afghanistan fostering a climate of by the book maintenance practices his leadership yielded the command's first pass pass score in nine years during the 2020 and 2021 commander strike fighter wing Pacific material condition inspection and enabled the command's safe execution of 4,272 sorties encompassing 8,655 flight hours with an impressive 95% sort of completion rate commander O'Hara's exceptional professionalism personal initiative and loyal devotion to duty reflected great threat upon himself and we're keeping the highest traditions of the United States Naval service for the president signed MP Donnelly Ruer Admiral United States Navy military guests please be seated. All right. I will now read my orders. Beepers order number 0312 when properly relieved detach VFA 102 report to the joint staff J Washington DC. I will now me read my orders. Beepers order number 3019 when directed reports commanding officer VFA 102 as his relief. Sir, I relieve you. I've been properly relieved. Sir, I have assumed command of VFA 102 Squadron at ease. So a Wiley skipper taught me a while ago to bring my own speech, not put it in the podium. So I will unfold that before I start. I'd like to say thank you to my wife, Ashley. Ashley numerous deployments. I moved to Japan. COVID long hours. You wondering why Bunny and I are always hanging out at work. You put your career and hold and you deal with everything the Navy gives us in stride. Thank you for being my everything. And thank you for being Danny surrogate mom. Rhodes Alex. I know you guys won't remember this, but I still want to say whatever path you choose for your life, your father will always be proud of you. Chucky. Nicole Kalin. Johnny. Welcome to Iwakuni. FDNF is a speeding train. We look forward to having you here. It's a blast. Ladies and gentlemen behind me, you may notice aircraft 101. Typically 100 is our CAG bird. 102 is the CEO's bird. On the name or on the side of 101 are the names of air crew who have won this D wish flying cross while flying diamondback hardware in Afghanistan. In fact, the two behind me, Lieutenant Commander Guido Gaiman and Lieutenant Commander Ewald, both represent a skipper of mine and both of our CAG together in CAG one, Bunny and I know them well. On the other side is Lieutenant Commander Guido Gaiman and again and Lieutenant Cosma Depri, former training officer and skipper of mine. I'd like to share a little story about them. On 16 November 2001, Hamid Karzai entered what was known as a Taliban stronghold of Terran Kaut along with US Army Special Forces from ODA 574. The Taliban marshaled a force estimated to exceed 300 men and dozen of vehicles to attack the town and Hamid Karzai. Acting in support of that ODA team as a fact a Guido and Cosmo coordinated and controlled 12 aircraft and guided weapon deliveries for more than four hours. They repelled the search and ground attacks destroying 30 vehicles and a significant number of enemy casualties. Guido and Cosmo saved Hamid Karzai's life that day. But their actions, they didn't do so alone. It takes a team to fight. It takes a team to win. Diamondback air crew wouldn't have gone flying that day without diamond back maintainers maintaining every combat system in that aircraft. Diamondback maintainers would not have been working without supply ensuring they had the parts without admin ensuring everyone was getting paid without Intel providing targets. Every individual has a role to play within fighting 102. And that spirit was carried that day and before us. That spirit started with the Vietnam War. That spirit continued when we opened Afghanistan. And most recently that spirit. We all were part of as we close out Afghanistan with some of us on that final flight. When it comes to fighting spirit. Danny embodies what is meant. What did it what it means to be within fighting 102. Danny's family, Kevin, Diane, Ryan. I know you'll be watching this at home. Know that your son's fighting spirit inspired of all of us to simply be better. Whether it was in the jet, fixing aircraft or living life. He is a tremendous human being. And you should be proud of your son. Danny on a daily basis you put on a masterclass in leadership. I'm thankful for your mentorship along the way. Although I'm sure strike leads under instruction throughout the air wing will be happy. The ghost of Iwakuni no longer rages in their red air presentations. I will forever miss our conversations together about life, liberty and happiness as a collective people amongst four deployed naval forces and living here in Iwakuni. We all have to fight. The fights range from the mundane to complex. They range from dealing with the movers on an overseas tour to leading a 30 plane joint strike off the ship to getting an appointment at medical. But each and every one of us continues to fight. Nothing's comes easy. Respect must be earned. As a squadron and an air wing, we continue to fight. We fight through tricided operations. We fight through COVID. We fight through the commissary being out of milk. Every day, I am blown away by the fighting spirit demonstrated by the men and women of fighting 102. This very week, we worked long hours to get eight aircraft up for Guam. At one point going 12 on 12 off to get the fleet where needed to be. Many of you individually fought to get one on one up in the air after being a long term downer. A two years old aim to feral. I see you two separate issues. We're keeping one on one flight controls on the ground. I'm proud of you. I'm proud of the entire squadron for what you've done. It took a team effort to get our war chariots ready for the fly off. And we accomplished it together. We are fighting 102. Together there is no mountain we cannot climb. No problem we cannot solve. Together, I'm looking forward to Guam, crews and whatever else may come our way. CAG, DCAG, distinguished guests. Ladies and gentlemen, wobbly. I present the men and women fighting 102. I serve proudly along each and every one of you. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes our ceremony. You are cordially invited to join us for refreshments here in Hangar Squadron attention dismissed.