October 2010 Navy

by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Matthew Olay,
Navy Public Support Element West

Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 57 (VR-57) hosted a change of command ceremony aboard Naval Air Station North Island, CA, 21 August.

CDR Robert T. Rascoll relieved CDR William L. Crump III as VR-57 Commanding Officer. Crump had been attached to VR-57 in various capacities since 1998, which is nearly 40 percent of the squadron’s lifespan since its commissioning in 1978.

“This truly marks the end of an era,” said Chief of Navy Reserve, VADM Dirk J. Debbink. “You instituted a culture here at VR-57 that made it clear that every person and package was important to someone. Your caring leadership that drives VR-57 to get the job done is the same caring leadership that makes it a great place for (its) Sailors and their families.”

Debbink also took time to point out some of Crump’s accomplishments during his tour as Commanding Officer, which included overseeing the flying of more than 50,000 passengers and roughly 2.5 million pounds of cargo.

“Under your leadership, the ‘Conquistadors’ have conquered every challenge presented to you,” said Debbink.

“It is said that our lives our measured by the footprints we leave behind, the courses we chart and the examples we set for others to follow,” said Crump. “For me, this completes over 22 years of service of which I’ve had the good fortune to be a Conquistador since 1998, an important chapter of my life of which I’ve been so proud to serve each and every day.”

Crump also offered his thoughts on the squadron’s future.

“For myself, like so many others who have served here before me, I know that this squadron will continue to set the standard by which others are measured while providing the safest and best-maintained aircraft operated by the most highly trained pilots and air crewmen,” said Crump.

After delivering his remarks and being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his accomplishments as VR-57’s Commanding Officer, Crump handed over the command’s reins to Rascoll, who had been serving as the squadron’s Executive Officer since 2009.

“Who wouldn’t be excited at getting a chance to work with this outstanding team, to work in such a great facility, and to fly such dynamic missions with such capable aircraft?” said Rascoll.

Rascoll then addressed the Sailors under his new command.

“I’m sincerely proud of you and grateful for the chance to work with you as your skipper. Thank you for all that you do every day to make VR-57 shine.”

Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 57 (VR-57) is a Navy Reserve Force squadron made up of Active Duty and Selected Reserve personnel. Its stated mission is to “provide responsive, flexible, and rapidly deployable air logistics support to US and allied forces sustaining a full spectrum of combat, humanitarian, and peacetime operations.” The squadron also works to “provide continuous quality training for mobilization readiness.”