Last modified Wed., May 28, 2008 - 05:15 PM
Originally created Thursday, May 29, 2008

Wilson relieves Thompson as VP-45 CO

By Lt. William Webb

(From left) Cmdr. Thomas Thompson, Captain Kyle Cozad and Cmdr. Gordon Wilson. Photo by VP-45

Cmdr. Gordon Wilson recently relieved Cmdr. Thomas Thompson as commanding officer of the VP-45 "Pelicans." Capt. Kyle Cozad, Commander, Patrol And Reconnaissance Wing 11, was the guest speaker.

Wilson, a native of Plandome, N.Y., graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography. He entered pilot flight training and earned his pilot wings in 1993.

Following initial P-3 training at VP-30, Wilson joined VP-26 in Brunswick, Maine in 1994. He deployed to Italy, Panama, Iceland and Puerto Rico, earning designations as

patrol plane commander, mission commander and instructor pilot while serving as first

lieutenant division officer, armament branch officer, assistant administrative officer and pilot NATOPS officer.

In 1998, Wilson reported to VP-30 in Jacksonville as a Fleet Replacement Squadron instructor pilot where he performed duties in pilot training as the instrument standardization officer.

In 2000, he attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS ) in Patuxent River, Md., where he was selected as a distinguished graduate of class 117. He then reported to Naval Force Aircraft Test Squadron and served as a test pilot and project officer. In 2001, Wilson returned to USNTPS and served as a fixed wing test pilot instructor. He managed numerous flight test programs and flew more than 35 aircraft, including instructor qualifications in the A-37, P-3, T-2 and T-38 aircraft.

Following refresher training at VP-30, Wilson reported to VP-8 in 2002, serving as safety/NATOPS officer and maintenance officer. In 2003, he deployed to Sigonella, Italy and Souda Bay, Greece highlighted by combat missions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

In 2004, Wilson reported to Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet on board USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan where he served on staff as future operations undersea warfare officer, fleet training officer and battle watch captain.

In 2006, Wilson served as executive officer of VP-30 at NAS Jacksonville. He reported as executive officer of VP-45 in 2007.

During Cmdr. Thompson's tenure at VP-45, he commanded a demanding tri-site deployment to: Djibouti, Africa; Comolapa, El Salvador; Sigonella, Italy; and multiple surge sites and detachments that performed a myriad of missions.

Thompson's next assignment is with Joint Fires Coordination Command at Eglin AFB, Fla.