VS-24 'Scouts' disestablished during ceremony

The event began as 18 former VS-24 commanding officers in attendance were recognized as they walked through a row of sideboys before taking their seats. After the other officials were recognized, the Honor Support Team presented the colors for the playing of the national anthem and the invocation was given by Chaplain (Lt.) Robert Peters.

The guest speaker for the event was Rear Adm. Michael Miller, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, deputy chief of staff, Global Force Management and Joint Operations and a former VS-24 commanding officer. "It's kind of weird for me to be here today, because today my squadron is going away, tomorrow my former carrier, USS John F. Kennedy is being decommissioned, sometime this summer we are going to use USS Coronado as a target and I was reminded this morning that only two more and I'd be an ace," said Miller, who was also a former commanding officer of the carrier.

"It seems like only yesterday that I was wearing a VS-24 ballcap and the Duty Cat patch on my flight jacket. As the S-3 community races to the finish line, after today's decommission, only three squadrons will remain," he continued.

"This decommissioning is neither good nor bad, just the nature of naval aviation. Aircraft are born, flown and ultimately retire but the life and vibrancy of this community has never rested on the quality of its aircraft," continued Miller. "The strength of the Viking community has always been its people. For those of you about to join new outfits, I know the coming transition will be a challenge but I also know your legacy of achievement will not let the nation down."

Capt. Daniel Dixon, commander, Carrier Air Wing Eight, recognizes the lasting impact the members of VS-24 have had to the Navy during the ceremony.

Also giving some remarks during the ceremony was Capt. Daniel Dixon, commander, Carrier Air Wing Eight. "I really want to say something about Cmdr. Ted Mills, VS-24's commanding officer. It's not easy to disestablish a squadron and find new homes for all your people. It's a lot more difficult than I understood. There is a lot involved and everything has been documented and done the way it's supposed to be done," he said shortly before presenting Mills with a Meritorious Service Medal for his impeccable leadership, enthusiastic commitment and extraordinary dedication to the squadron.

Mills then took the podium to give his final remarks as commanding officer of the squadron. "Our command is the best in the Navy. Our last deployment won us the Battle E, Carrier Air Wing Eight Golden Wrench and we had 100 percent operational sortie achievement. Our personnel have been highly sought after during this deactivation process," said Mills. "Although the squadron will no longer be active, we will still have the opportunity to enrich the future naval service members by recounting the best times and traditions of VS-24. By doing so, future members of naval aviation will continue to benefit from example of our great squadron. Thank you for sharing today with us. Scout's Rule!"

VS-24 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Ted Mills proudly recognizes the members of his squadron during the disestablishment ceremony March 22.

The ceremony closed with CMDCM Jeffrey Alcott, VS-24 command master chief, reading "The Watch" and Mills ordering his executive officer, Lt. Cmdr. Robin Higgs to dismiss the squadron one last time. VS-24 will be officially disestablished Saturday.