SHUTTLEtheUSS Enterprise (CVN 65) - Thursday, April 28, 2011

The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile cruiser USS Mason (DDG 87) sails the open seas as part of Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. Photo by MCSN Anna WadeVFA 11 takes on a new CO, keeps the same winning style

the Page 3Thursday, April 28, 2011

Enterprise NewsSHUTTLE

By MC3 Peter D. MelkusUSS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At sea - Cmdr. Daniel J. Sullivan IV relieved Cmdr. Randy Stearns as commanding officer (CO) of the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 in an airborne change of command ceremony above the deployed aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) April 27. Sullivan and Stearns both flew in F/A-18F Super Hornets assigned to VFA-11 as they read their orders, with Stearns giving the final flight lead to Sullivan as they flew over Enterprise.Sullivan, who joined the Red Rippers as an executive officer (XO) in March 2010, will be the 76th CO of the Navy’s oldest continuously active fighter squadron, which was commissioned in 1927 as VF-5S. Serving as the CO of one of the Navy’s oldest and most storied squadrons may seem like a daunting task, but it is one Sullivan enthusiastically accepts.“It is a wonderful and humbling feeling of anticipation to be the 76th Red Ripper CO,” said Sullivan. “I am very

proud to be a Red Ripper. This is such a wonderful organization to be a part of, and it is a privilege to work alongside each and every VFA-11 Sailor.” When it comes to leading the nearly 250-Sailor-strong Red Ripper squadron toward future successes, Sullivan said he is excited to take on the challenge. “My goal is to exceed the already high standards that are expected from Red Ripper Sailors, chiefs and officers on a daily basis,” said Sullivan. “Through our hard work and team focus, we will always strive to accomplish our mission while fostering a positive

command culture that develops future Navy leaders.” Sullivan also praised the efforts put forth by all Red Ripper Sailors and their families back home to make the first half of their deployment aboard Enterprise a successful one. “I have never worked with a more dedicated and professional team of men and women, and every day I grow more proud of their accomplishments,” said Sullivan. “Our loved ones also play a huge role in the success of this squadron by giving us their continued support from the home front each and every day. All of these factors put together

are what allow us to continue to accomplish the mission.” Stearns, who also joined VFA-11 as an XO in November 2008, departs the squadron for his next assignment as a training and readiness officer for Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic. “This has been the most rewarding tour I’ve ever been a part of in the Navy thanks to the tremendous support from my family, friends and shipmates along the way,” said Stearns. “The Red Rippers and their families will always be in my thoughts, and I look forward to reading about all the great things the Rippers will be doing in the future.”

VFA-11 conducts change of command ceremony above Big ‘E’

Photo by Lt. j.g. Claire Gunnison

From left to right: Command Master Chief Kenneth W. Harris, incoming commanding officer (CO) Cmdr. Daniel J. Sullivan and outgoing CO Cmdr. Randy Stearns pose for a photo following the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

the Thursday, April 28, 2011Page 4 SHUTTLE

FUN ZONE!Down1 Domino spots2 Overwhelming defeat3 Ablutionary vessel4 Mom and Pop5 Fire indicator6 Scottish seaport7 Film crew member8 Coin-op place9 Toward land

10 Most important11 Seaport on the Bay of Biscay12 FBI employee13 Fiddlesticks?18 New Mexico resort22 “___ worse than death”24 Construction toy26 Shape27 Hokkaido native28 Latin lover, perhaps?30 “Fiddler on the Roof” matchmaker32 Fleece seekers34 Char35 Santa’s sackful 37 ___ fell swoop38 Drying kiln41 Repeat43 Monetary unit of Nicaragua45 Meter reader46 Cloth unit47 Brownish photo tint49 Neigh sayer50 Moist51 River of Spain53 Cure54 Eight in Essen55 Baum canine58 Always in verse

Across1 Get-ready work5 Stirring tales10 Divulge a secret14 Nebraska neighbor15 Biblical gift16 “Othello” villain17 San Juan is its capital19 Burgeoned

20 Go fast21 Models of excellence23 Christmas song25 Flaw26 Lowdown29 Baloney31 Art medium32 Era33 Bear witness

36 Cytoplasm material37 Blast furnace input39 Virgo’s predecessor40 Ruminating42 Smidgen43 Potter’s material44 Fall guys46 Afrikaners47 Brown pigment

48 God of thunder50 Diminish52 Outmoded56 Samoan capital57 “The Name of the Rose” author59 Haze60 Biblical weeds61 Thai currency

62 Crown of the head63 Sound asleep?64 Choir part

From Deckplates to Mess Decks

Chiefs from around USS Enterprisetake a day to serve dinner and

clean up after the Sailors working for them.

Photos by MCSN Jesse L. Gonzalez