VAW-126 Holds Change of Command

By Mass Communication Seaman Pasquale Sena, USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

GULF OF OMAN (NNS) -- The "Seahawks" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126 (VAW-126) performed an airborne change of command ceremony above the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), March 18.

Cmdr. John Hewitt, who has commanded VAW-126 since January 2013, turned over with Cmdr. Przemyslaw Kaczynski.

"It has been a privilege and an honor to work with some of the finest sailors and officers and I am very grateful to have worked side-by-side with some of the best men and women our nation has to offer," said Hewitt.

While commanding officer, Hewitt led VAW-126 to win the 2013 Battle Efficiency Squadron during their 2013-2014 deployment.

"This was a huge accomplishment," said Hewitt. "Squadrons go years without winning the Battle "E" and this year the Seahawks earned it. I am very proud to have commanded such an amazing group."

While Hewitt was in command, VAW-126 flew 408 missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom providing airborne command and control, airborne early warning and a consistant air and maritime picture to Combined Task Force 50.

Kaczynski, who previously served as VAW-126's executive officer, took over as commanding officer.

"Cmdr. Hewitt is exceptionally motivated, has fantastic intuition and leads from the front every day," said Kaczynski. "I have big shoes to fill but I am ready to step up to the task."

Kaczynski said his main objective as commanding officer of VAW-126 is to execute their mission exceptionally well, succeed in Operation Enduring Freedom and bring all of his sailors and officers home safely with operational aircraft.

"It's a commanding officer's biggest task to keep the focus," said Kaczynski. "You need to keep everybody thinking that what we do out here is just as crucial today as it was the very first day we stepped onto the carrier. The environment doesn't know it's the end of deployment. We have to maintain the focus until the day we step off the ship."