SCWS disestablished

After the arrival of the official party, the NAS Jax Honor Support Team presented the colors during the national anthem and the invocation was given by NAS Jax Chaplain (Lt.) Joe Molina.

The guest speaker for the event was Capt. Ralph Alderson, branch head, Warfare Integration, Chief of Naval Operations Staff. "This is an event that marks the end of our community. The S-3 community has always kept its people in the forefront. S-3 organizations are and have always been some of the best-led and best managed outfits in the fleet today," said Alderson.

"This doesn't mean that we are better than any other community, but it means that we should celebrate our community; that it existed and enjoy it for as long it's here. Which brings me to this great command, Sea Control Weapons School, which we celebrate today and which we say goodbye to today. It is a young command, in fact the youngest in our community. It was born in war and is finishing it's term in war. It's the only command in our community that's done so."

Sea Control Weapons School (SCWS) Commanding Officer Cmdr. John Klein (left) salutes Commander, Sea Control Wing U.S. Atlantic Fleet Capt. Evan Piritz to officially relinquish command after reading his orders during the SCWS Disestablishment Ceremony July 26.

"In the end, the legacy of the commanding officer, the school and community as a whole is the people they've touched. Those who have walked into the school and have come out improved on the other end. This school's legacy is the lessons learned that have been passed on to people who will go forward and do great things with them," he continued.

Alderson also gave some remarks about what a great leader Cmdr. John Klein has been as the last commanding officer of the school. Klein then received the Meritorious Service Medal from Commander, Sea Control Wing Capt. Evan Piritz for his outstanding service as commanding officer of the school from May 2006 to July 2007.

Klein then took the podium to give his final remarks as commanding officer of the school.

"The Sea Control Wea-pon's School's focus has always been on people. While it's easy to get seduced by new technology during times of war, it's the dedicated, professional and well-trained people who are the armed service's greatest assets. Whether conducting the Sea Control Advanced Readiness Program, Conventional Weapon Technical Proficiency Inspections, Viking Tactics Instructor Program and fleet replacement training,

we have fulfilled the need to provide the very best training to make the best fleet war fighters possible," stated Klein.

The ceremony concluded as Klein read his orders and relinquished his command closing yet another chapter of the S-3 aviation community. Today, only three S-3 squadrons remain activated, the VS-22 "Checkmates," VS-31 "Topcats" and the VS-32 "Maulers." All will be decommissioned within the next two years.

"This is all part of the Navy's plan to streamline logistic support and squadron support. The idea was that our mission can be picked up by other communities," stated Klein. "But the legacy of our community and what this school has done will live on."