Cmdr. Jeffrey Farmer relieved Cmdr. Brad Freeman as commanding officer of the "Wildcats" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131 in an airborne change of command ceremony above the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)(Ike) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, July 6.

Accompanied by the commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, Capt. Jeffrey Anderson in a F/A-18F Super Hornet, Farmer and Freeman flew F/A-18C Hornets.

Freeman, a 1996 graduate the University of Texas, thanked the squadron for their teamwork and dedication.

"It's taken a lot of hard work from every single person in the squadron to get us to this point," Freeman said. "I'm extremely proud to have been able to witness it and be a part of it. We have come together as a team and as a family, and I will cherish my time in the Wildcats for the rest of my life."

He will retire after 20 years of naval service.

Freeman commissioned April 1997 through Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, and was winged as a naval aviator July 1999.

He completed operational tours with the "Sidewinders" of VFA-86 in Beaufort, South Carolina, deploying aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001; the "Gladiators" of VFA-106 as an instructor in 2003; CVW-8 as air warfare officer in 2006; and the "Blue Blasters" of VFA-34, deploying twice aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. He most recently served at North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) where he worked in the NORAD-U.S. Northern Command J5 until 2013.

Freeman assumed duties as the executive officer of the Wildcats December 2013.

A 1999 graduate of the United States Military Academy, Farmer was humbled to begin his command tour of the Wildcats.

"Taking command of a Navy strike fighter squadron underway on a combat cruise, while at the controls of an F/A-18C is undoubtedly the biggest highlight and honor of my Naval career," Farmer said. "The men and women of VFA-131 make up the finest team I've ever been associated with, and I relish the chance we have now to add to the Wildcat legacy."

Farmer expressed gratitude for the support he received during his career.

"This opportunity would not be possible if it weren't for my shipmates, friends, family and especially my wife, Mandy," he said. "I cannot thank them enough for their unwavering support."

Farmer attended flight school in Corpus Christi and Kingsville, Texas, and was designated a naval aviator February 2001. His operational tours include serving with the "Diamond Cutters" of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 30, deploying aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) in 2002 and USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) in 2004; the "Flying Eagles" of VFA-122 in Lemoore, California, for transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet; and the "Pukin' Dogs" of VFA-143 January 2006, deploying aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom; and the "Knighthawks" of VFA-136, deploying aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

Farmer reported to VFA-131 as the executive officer April 2015.

Cmdr. Bradley Converse assumed duties as the squadron's executive officer.

VFA-131 is part of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG), which is comprised of Ike, CSG-10 staff, the squadrons and staff of CVW-3, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 staff and accompanying ships guided-missile destroyers USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94), and guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61).

Ike CSG is deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations.

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