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Navy’s VQ-4 sees change of command

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  • By Strategic Communications Wing ONE Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Commander David J. Meron will succeed Commander Heather E. Cole, as commander of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Four, in an official change of command ceremony at Tinker at 10 a.m. Friday.

Commander Meron is currently serving as the executive officer at VQ-4. He will become the 39th Commanding Officer of the Shadow squadron, one of two operational squadrons under Strategic Communications Wing ONE based at Tinker Air Force Base. The Shadows of VQ-4 fly the E-6B Mercury aircraft in support of the Navy's Take Charge and Move Out mission, which provides a survivable communications link between national decision-makers and the country's arsenal of strategic nuclear weapons.

Commander Meron was born in St. Paul, Minn., and raised in Bradenton, Fla. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1982, and completed two WESTPAC deployments with the USS Reasoner as an Operations Specialist. During his time onboard, Reasoner earned the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy and Pacific Fleet ASW Ship-of-the-Year. After advancing to OS1, he transferred to Fleet Combat Training Center San Diego where he earned his Master Training Specialist and graduated from National University in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in computer science.

Commander Meron was selected for Aviation Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an ensign in 1990. Following Naval Flight Officer Training in Pensacola, Fla. and Mather AFB, Calif., he earned his Wings of Gold in December 1991.

Joining the TACAMO community, Commander Meron reported to his first squadron tour with the Ironmen of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron THREE at NAS Barbers Point in June 1992. In May 1996 Commander Meron was designated a Naval Aviator at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas. After earning his pilot wings, he reported to the Ironmen of VQ-3 an served as quality assurance officer and assistant safety/NATOPS officer.

Commander Meron was assigned to Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center from November 1999 to May 2002. He subsequently reported to the Shadows of VQ-4 at Tinker AFB. In June 2005 Commander Meron reported to SCW-1. He assumed his current position in May 2008.Commander Meron is a graduate of the Naval War College where he earned a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He was selected to participate in the Halsey Group, a joint/interagency team focused on Ballistic Missile Defense. Personal awards include the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, two Naval and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (seven awards), along with various unit and deployment awards.