VP-30 to hold change of command tomorrow

Fite was born in Washington D.C., the son of a career Air Force fighter pilot. He graduated from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio with a Bachelor of Administration degree in political science and holds a Masters of Science Degree in national security strategy from the National War College. He received his commission through the Aviation Officer Candidate Program in December 1985.

Designated a naval flight officer in April 1987, his operational tours include VP-44 in Brunswick, Maine, aide and flag lieutenant to Commander, George Washington Battle Group embarked on board USS George Washington (CVN 73) supporting operations Deny Flight, Sharp Guard, Vigilant Warrior and Southern Watch and as VP-47 operations officer at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, completing a deployment in support of operations Southern Watch and Desert Thunder. He also commanded VP-45 at NAS Jacksonville during which the squadron was awarded the Battle "E" and Chief of Naval Operations Safety "S."

Ashore, Fite served as Navy Recruiting District, Columbus, Ohio Officer Programs officer and was the Area Five 1992 Officer Recruiter of the Year. In 1999, he served as assistant chief of staff, Patrol Wings Pacific and additionally assumed the role as assistant chief of staff for Naval Activities upon the congressionally mandated closure of NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii and the staff's homeport shift to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. Major staff duty tours include the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington D.C. in the Aviation Assignment Division as the VP shore and sea detailer and OPNAV as the P-3/P-8A requirements officer, Air Warfare Division on the staff of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Integration of Capabilities and Resources) in March 2005.

Capt. Tim Brewer

Fite assumes command of a squadron that has been marked by profound achievements during Brewer's tenure spanning from August 2005 to August 2007. During this period, the squadron earned its second consecutive Cmdr. T.G. Ellyson Award for aviator production excellence presented to the Navy's most effective fleet replacement squadron. Additionally, source selection for the maritime patrol community's next generation airframe, the P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft, occurred shortly before Brewer's arrival. Under his leadership, a comprehensive transition plan has been created that will ensure fleet integration of the Navy's newest type model series combat aircraft.

By establishing the undergraduate Maritime Flight Officer (UMFO) Program he revolutionized naval flight officer (NFO) training, which provides better-trained NFOs to the fleet. The UMFO program saves 3.8 million dollars annually. Of perhaps the greatest significance, VP-30 continued its record of safe flying operations under a challenging training environment. The squadron recently achieved 43 years of mishap-free flying totaling more than 425,000 flight hours.