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CVW-3 Welcomes New CMC
Story Number: NNS130420-05
4/20/2013

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Laura Hoover, USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, embarked aboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), welcomed its new command master chief (CMC) April 12.

Command Master Chief (AW/SW) William Caraballo relieved Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Anthony Adams as the air wing's CMC.

Caraballo joined the Navy in October 1988. After completing basic training in San Diego, he went to mess specialist "A" school. Caraballo's most recent assignment was CMC for Strike Fighter Squadron 105.

"This is my first carrier, and I am learning something new everyday," said Caraballo. "I think together as a team we are going to do great things. I am looking forward to our deployment and the opportunity of working with Harry S. Truman and the Battle Axe team."

Caraballo said his goals are to conduct air operations safely and assist his air wing in getting their qualifications.

"Safety is my biggest goal," said Caraballo. "You have to always think about safety. There is nothing more important to us."

Training goes hand-in-hand with safety, said Caraballo.

"The more you train, the better you know your job and the safer we are as a whole," said Caraballo. "I want all our crew and planes back in one piece."

Caraballo also emphasized the importance of all his Sailors and those of CVW-3's eight squadrons earning their enlisted surface and air warfare qualifications.

"I am looking to make sure everyone in my air wing gets dual qualified," said Caraballo. "It is a very important part of training, and I want to make it a priority."

With seven deployments and myriad assignments under his belt, Caraballo noted that being vocal and approachable were keys to his success as a leader.

"I talk to people every day and ask them if they need anything," said Caraballo. "I think a good leader is someone who you can approach and interact with. As a leader, you have to be the example. I can't correct someone about their uniform if my uniform is not squared away. You have to show them you are there and you care."

Caraballo commented that he wouldn't come in and make sweeping changes.

"Right now, I will take about 30 days to observe how we do things as a command. I will look at all my squadrons and assess how they are doing. After that, I will see if anything even needs to be changed."

Caraballo said his leadership style is centered on the Sailors with whom he works.

"I am your shipmate," said Caraballo. "I am here to help you guys accomplish every goal you have, do the best we can as CVW-3 and come back home safe."

CVW-3, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, is embarked on Truman with its eight Navy and Marine Corps aircraft squadrons - VFA-32 "Swordsmen," VFA-37 "Ragin' Bulls," VFA -105 "Gunslingers," Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 "Checkerboards," Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126 "Seahawks," Electronic Attack Squadron 130 "Zappers," Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 7 "Dusty Dogs," and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74 "Swamp Foxes."


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For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn75/.