Cmdr. David W. Whetstone transferred leadership of Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 21 to Cmdr. Kyle C. Read during a change of command ceremony held at Brashear Conference Center, on board Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Dec. 5, 2019.

During Whetstone’s tenure as commanding officer, TACRON 21 deployed a detachment of skilled operational specialists, air traffic controllers, yeomen, intelligence specialists, and information systems technicians to the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in support of Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) operations in North Carolina following Hurricane Florence and for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group 2018-19 deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operations.

Rear Adm. John B. “Brad” Skillman, Director, Enterprise Support, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, presided over the change of command ceremony. "CDR West Whetstone commanded with honest and caring leadership to build a culture of excellence and camaraderie that is the envy of the waterfront,” said Skillman. “TACRON 21 excelled in normal operations during deployments such as the most recent KEARSARGE ARG deployment but also critical work for Defense Support of Civil Authorities for Hurricanes Irma, Maria and Florence."

Whetstone was presented the Meritorious Service Medal for his superior performance as commanding officer. He has held this position since August 2018. He will retire next June.

Read assumed command after serving as TACRON 21 executive officer. Prior to arriving at the TACRON, Read most recently served at U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

 For news about TACRON 21, visit www.tacron21.navy.mil, or www.facebook.com/Tacron21.

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