Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51 held a change of command ceremony at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Oct. 19.

Cmdr. Christopher Morgan relieved Cmdr. Carey Castelein as the squadron's commanding officer.

Originally established in 1991 as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 51, today HSM-51 trains and supports combat ready detachments of pilots, aircrew and maintenance technicians for deployment in support of 7th Fleet.

Castelein assumed command of the Warlords in July 2016. During his time as commanding officer, the squadron deployed five MH-60R helicopter detachments and has overseen a total of 2,118 flight hours.

Previously, Castelein was assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida, as deputy inspector general and as chief of the inspections branch. Prior to that, Castelein served as Officer-in-Charge of Detachment THREE embarked on USS Sampson (DDG 102), supporting Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercises, and USS Kidd (DDG 100). He completed his department head tour as training officer and maintenance officer on USS John C. Stennis, deploying in support of operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. Additional assignments include assistant operations officer and operational test pilot at Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VX-1) at Patuxent River, phase training officer and quality assurance officer for HSM-41 in San Diego, California, as well as quality assurance officer for HSL-37 in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Castelein's next assignment is with Naval Air systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland.

Commander Morgan is a native of Arlington Heights, Illinois, and received his commission from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 1999. Morgan began his operational flying career with HSL-45 and participated in several 5th and 7th Fleet operations and exercises. During his shore tour as an instructor pilot assigned to HSM-41, he earned his Seahawk Weapons and Tactics Instructor (SWTI) designation and went on to serve as squadron tactics officer; he also qualified as a MH-60R pilot. In 2008, Morgan returned to the fleet as a Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) for HSL-43. Following his WTI Tour, Morgan travelled to Atsugi, Japan, and reported to HSL-51. As a Warlord, he completed deployments as Officer-in-Charge Detachment THREE. He finished his tour as squadron maintenance officer, and was selected as the 2012 Officer of the Year. In 2012, Morgan reported to U.S. European Command and served as an action officer and executive officer for the J-3 Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Division. He selected for squadron command in 2014.

"I am humbled and honored to have this opportunity to lead a fantastic team of ready professionals," said Morgan. "I intend to do my part to continue the Warlord's 26 year legacy of excellence in execution."

Commander Justin Banz assumed the duties as HSM-51 executive officer. Commander Banz is originally from Tucson, Ariz., and prior to being assigned to the Warlords he attended the United States Naval War College where he earned a Masters in National Security and Strategic Studies. This is Commander Banz's second tour with HSM-51, the first was in 2004 and was his first operational flying tour.

For more information on Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 51, visit https://cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrj/installations/naf_atsugi/about/tenant_commands/hsl_51.html

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