The "Bear Aces" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 124 held a change of command during an airborne ceremony aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Mar. 22.

Cmdr. Christian P. Goodman relieved Cmdr. Justin T. Fauntleroy as commanding officer during the ceremony.

Fauntleroy joined the "World Famous Bear Aces" of VAW-124 as executive officer in August 2014 and served as commanding officer from December 2015 to March 2017.

Under Fauntleroy, the "Bear Aces" flew more than 1,500 hours and successfully navigated a challenging workup cycle, in preparation for the 2017 deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).

During his career, Fauntleroy has accumulated more than 3,000 hours and 400 traps in the E-2C Hawkeye. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, an Individual Air Medal, seven Strike Air Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, and a Navy Achievement Medal.

The new commanding officer, Goodman, is a native of Philadelphia. He commissioned through the Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. Prior to reporting to the "Bear Aces," Goodman served as a legislative fellow for Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) in Washington, where he managed a portfolio covering various military, domestic and international subject areas.

Goodman has logged more than 2,400 hours in the E-2C Hawkeye and flown more than 90 combat missions. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, seven Strike Flight Air Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, and two Navy Achievement Medals, as well as other individual, campaign and unit awards.

Cmdr. Gregory A. Machi has assumed the duties of VAW-124 executive officer.

VAW-124 is responsible for maintaining a combat-ready squadron of four aircraft and more than 250 aircrew, maintainers and administrative personnel.

The "Bear Aces" currently conduct airborne early warning operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG). The GHWBCSG departed for deployment on Jan. 21.

GHWBCSG is comprised of the staff of CSG-2; aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77); the nine squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8; Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff; guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103); Danish guided-missile frigate HDMS Peter Willemoes (F 362); and Mayport-based guided-missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Hue City (CG 66).

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