CHSMWP Holds Change of Command Ceremony

By Commander, Naval Air Forces PAO

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Captain Shawn P. Malone relieved Captain David W. Bouve as Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CHSMWP) during a change of command ceremony held on May 1, 2014 at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island in San Diego.

Bouve, a native of Bethesda, Maryland, is a 1989 graduate of Miami University in Oxford, OH. As Commander of HSMWP, Captain Bouve led a unique workforce of more than 2,500 officer, enlisted and civilian personnel across nine geographically dispersed Fleet Squadrons, a Fleet Replacement Squadron, an HSM Wing Weapons School and an Aviation Supply Department.

During a dynamic period of growth in the HSM community, Bouve led a three-pronged transition effort involving the replacement of the legacy SH-60B Seahawk helicopters with the improved MH-60R variant; the conversion of detachment-based expeditionary squadrons to the carrier air wing deployment model; and the introduction of the Navy's first Vertical Take-off and landing Unmanned aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) to the fleet.

Bouve's next assignment will be as Director of Navy Marketing and Advertising to Commander, Navy Recruiting Command in Millington, TN.

Malone, a native of Chicopee, Massachusetts, is a 1990 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. At sea, his career as a naval aviator includes assignments with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) Four Five (HSL 45) aboard USS ANTIETAM (CG 54) and USS VINCENNES (CG 49); Cruiser-Destroyer Group Eight / EISENHOWER Battle Group and Carrier Group Seven / STENNIS Strike Group staffs; and as an HSL 47 detachment officer-in-charge aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64). He commanded HSL 47 aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). In September 2012, Malone reported to Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet as Deputy Commander.

The mission of CHSMWP is to support operational commanders by providing combat-ready Helicopter Maritime Strike forces which are fully trained, properly manned, interoperable, well maintained, and combat sustainable.