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Circa 2008

HistoryA BIT OF HISTORY: History ThumbnailCameraCapt. Christopher Shay "...VAQ-129 Vikings command changes - By Lt. Dustin Engel - Vikings reporter - Friday, February 15, 2008..." WebSite: Northwest Navigator http://www.northwestnavigator.com/ index.php/ navigator/ whidbey/ vaq_129_vikings_command_changes/ [15FEB2008]

The command of the Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 Vikings changed hands Feb. 8 when Capt. Christopher Shay relieved Capt. Stephen McInerney. The ceremony was held in hangar 12 on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

VAQ-129 is the Fleet Replacement Squadron responsible for training EA-6B Prowler aircrew. The squadron is made up of more than 600 personnel and provides combat ready Sailors and Marines for 10 carrier-based, three Navy expeditionary and four Marine Corps EA-6B squadrons.

McInerney took command of VAQ-129 Vikings in October 2005. During his time as commanding officer, the squadron flew more than 9,700 sorties totaling over 15,600 flight hours.

McInerney has orders to NAS Oceana, Va., attached to Commander Carrier Air Wing 17.

A native of New England, Shay graduated from the University of Vermont in 1985 and earned his commission through the Aviation Officer Candidate School, Pensacola, Fla. He has completed two deployments onboard USS Coral Sea (CV 43), and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in support of Operation Desert Storm.

He has also served with Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) the Gray Wolves of Electronic Attack Squadron 142 on Whidbey Island.

Shay assumed command of VAQ-140 in October 2004 and led the squadron through a short-notice expeditionary deployment to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan in support of U.S. Pacific Command contingency plans.

After turning over command in January 2006, he reported to CNO Deep Blue. During his tour in Deep Blue, he completed two deployments to Iraq with Joint CREW Composite Squadron One supporting Multi-National Corps-Iraq Counter-IED and counter-insurgency operations.

© 2008 Sound Publishing, Inc.


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