The "Diamondbacks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 held an airborne change of command ceremony while embarked aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Oct. 11.

During the ceremony, Cmdr. Gregory Malandrino relieved Cmdr. Rafe Wysham as commanding officer.

Wysham, a native of Madras, Oregon, took charge of the Diamondbacks in 2015.

"It has been a true pleasure serving with the fantastic men and women of the Diamondback team," said Wysham.

Malandrino, a native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, received his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 1998. He joined the Diamondbacks in 2015 as the squadron's executive officer.

"It is an incredible honor to lead the Diamondbacks and serve our Sailors," said Malandrino. "I wish fair winds and following seas to Commander Wysham and his family."

The Diamondbacks of VFA-102 are the Navy's only forward-deployed FA-18F Super Hornet squadron. The squadron is attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, based out of Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan.

The squadron regularly embarks aboard Ronald Reagan in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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