Navy’s VQ-7 welcomes new commander

Published Dec. 11, 2015
By Kimberly Woodruff
Staff Writer

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Seven welcomed a new leader during a Nov. 20 change of command ceremony.

Cmdr. Mark Brophy relieved outgoing commander Cmdr. Matthew Sniffin.

"Many of us are more capable than some of us, but none of us is as capable as all of us," said Commander Brophy, quoting Ziggy cartoonist Tom Wilson. "That's us -- that's TACAMO. We couldn't do what we do without every single one of us working as a team."

Commander Brophy, who had been the VQ-7 executive officer since August 2014, added that he was very humbled and honored to serve with the Roughnecks. After thanking his many friends and family members who had come to the ceremony, he talked about military families.

"The linchpin is our families," the commander said. "Without their support, flexibility and resiliency, our jobs would be immeasurably harder. I know without mine I wouldn't be standing here today."

The guest speaker, Capt. David Meron, the commanding officer of the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps at Kansas University and former member of the Take Charge and Move Out community at Tinker, said he was honored to return to TACAMO to bid farewell to Commander Sniffin and to welcome Commander Brophy.

"As a leader of the Roughnecks, Commander Sniffin distinguished himself with inspirational leadership," said Captain Meron. "Just a few of his accomplishments included graduating 25 Petty Officers, 41 pilots and 14 years without any mishaps."

Captain Meron said VQ-7 is a high performing machine.

"Commander Sniffin would probably say it was due to great people," he said. "A successful organization that's led by inspirational commanders succeeds over and over again. Sailors and civilians want to join the organization and they stay there, too."

Commander Sniffin's TACAMO career comes to an end after three tours and 15 years.

"It's the quality of the people at TACAMO that make this place special," he said. "Someday I'll look back on my career and take pride knowing I served my country with quality people like those who served with courage and commitment. Roughnecks -- thanks for a fantastic tour."