The "Fighting Blacklions" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 held a change of command during an airborne ceremony, Feb. 22.

Cmdr. Kevin E. Robb relieved Cmdr. Douglas M. Langenberg as the
commanding officer of VFA-213.

Langenberg joined the "World Famous Fighting Blacklions" of VFA-213 as the executive officer, August 2014, and served as commanding officer from November 2015 to February 2016.

Under Langenberg's leadership, the Blacklions completed over 3,750 sorties totaling more than 4,500 flight hours and employed more than 25 tons of ordnance.

He guided the squadron through a demanding, operationalized
Optimized Fleet Response Plan work-up cycle and the first month of a combat deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

During his tenure the Blacklions boasted a 98 percent sortie completion rate, for which he was selected as a U.S. Fleet Forces Command finalist for the 2016 James Bond Stockdale Leadership Award.

Langenberg amassed over 2,400 flight hours and more than 400 carrier-arrested landings in the F-14 Tomcat and the F/A-18F Super Hornet. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal as well as various unit, campaign and service awards.

Robb, the new commanding officer, is a native from Syracuse, New York, and a 1998 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.

Prior to joining VFA-213, Robb attended the U.S. Naval War College and was then assigned to the Joint Staff, J-7, Joint Training Directorate.

Cmdr. Robb also served with VF-101, flying the F-14 Tomcat; VF-211; VFA-122, where he transitioned to the FA-18E/F Super Hornet; Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, as carrier air group landing safety officer; and VFA-31. These tours included multiple deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn.

Robb reported to the Blacklions as the executive officer, November 2015. He has accumulated over 2,800 flight hours and more than 500 carrier-arrested landings.

Cmdr. Patrick T. Baker has assumed the duties as executive officer of VFA-213 which is responsible for maintaining a combat-ready squadron of 12 F/A-18F Super Hornets and more than 250 aircrew and maintainers.

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