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Bentley takes over as skipper of VQ-3

  • Published
  • By Tim Geels
  • Strategic Communications Wing ONE Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron THREE (VQ-3) held their squadron change of command ceremony April 18 as Cmdr. Shawn Bentley became the 39th commanding officer. 
   Bentley relieved Cmdr. Jeff Marshall during the ceremony held in the squadron's hangar bay.
   Bentley served as the executive officer at VQ-3 for the past 11 months. He now takes command of the Navy's Ironman squadron, one of two operational squadrons under Strategic Communications Wing ONE, based at Tinker Air Force Base.
   In his comments, Bentley was humbled to be in the position he now holds.
   "When I joined the Navy 19 years ago, I would have never thought that someone from the Bronx, who had always dreamed of flying would then be given the opportunity to command one of the finest Navy squadrons and some of the best Sailors in the world," Bentley said.
   Bentley later addressed the men and women of VQ-3.
   "So, Ironmen, I want to provide you the leadership and mentorship and tools, i.e., chess pieces that were provided to me so that you can achieve all of your dreams, no matter what they are," he said. "We will continue to use our diverse talents to support and defend the constitution of the United States and we will always strive for excellence."
   Rear Admiral Arthur J. Johnson Jr., Commander, Naval Safety Center at Norfolk, Va. served as guest speaker for the day's ceremony. Johnson praised the outgoing commander, Cmdr. Marshall, for the outstanding job he did during his time as skipper.
   "During his time in the command suite, Cmdr. Marshall has demonstrated some bold, inspirational leadership during times of challenge and change...including the standup of Task Force 124 Forward," Johnson said. "Since October 2006, the Ironman team has contributed significantly to the Al Udeid AB detachment and its execution of 423 sorties and 5030 flight hours in support of Multi-National Forces-Iraq and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The critical convoy over-watch communications relay you provided has been and continue to be vital to the safe and expeditious movement of personnel and supplies over land in Iraq." 
    In his final comments as squadron commander, Marshall thanked the Wing leadership for the opportunity he had to lead.
   "Commodore (Capt. Brian Costello), Deputy (Capt. Dwight Shepherd), and Capt. Seesholtz (previous Commodore), thank you for giving me the privilege of command. As an officer still in his TACAMO first tour, I can only say thank you for the support, mentorship and advice over the last year," he said. "You were always there to support us and you let me have the maneuvering room to run."
    Marshall will remain at the Wing for a short time before departing to take part in a Federal Executive Fellowship program at Oxford University as an Oxford Senior Associate Member, and a Leverhulme Programme visiting fellow.
   VQ-3 became the first active duty Navy operational squadron permanently located on an Air Force base when they arrived at Tinker in 1992.