The “Freedom Fighters” of Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) held a change of command ceremony Jan. 10 onboard Naval Air Station Oceana.

Capt. William R. Reed relieved Capt. John R. Bixby as Carrier Air Wing Commander (CAG).

Bixby assumed command of CVW-7 in July 2017. During his tour, the Freedom Fighters transitioned from Carrier Strike Group Eight (CSG-8) to Carrier Strike Group Twelve (CSG-12) aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). CAG Bixby led CVW-7 through the transition and subsequent maintenance phase, while preparing them for their upcoming deployment.  Bixby will retire Aug. 1 with 26 years of active duty service.

Reed most recently served at the Pentagon with OPNAV N80. During that tour, he was sent on an Individual Augmentation (IA) as one of three Battle Directors for United States Air Force Central Command Combined Air and Space Operations Center (CAOC), forward deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. He was born in Cary, Illinois, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1995, and was designated a naval aviator in May 1998.

Reed’s previous assignments include Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124 (VAW-124), Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120 (VAW-120), Carrier Air Wing NINE (CVW-9) as the Carrier Air Wing Landing Signals Officer (LSO), commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) LSO at NAS Oceana as the LSO School Officer in Charge, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and as commanding officer of Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117 (VAW-117).

Reed’s vision for the air wing is a single word: serve. “Serving out, and serving in – serving out, the air wing provides the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group with lethal and professional air power,” Reed said. “Serving in, the air wing develops generationally focused warrior leaders at all levels.”

CVW-7 is comprised of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 “Fist of the Fleet,” VFA-86 “Sidewinders,” VFA-103 “Jolly Rogers,” VFA-143 “Pukin’ Dogs,” Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121 “Bluetails,” Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140 “Patriots,” Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 “Nightdippers,” and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79 “Griffins.”

The components of CSG-12 embody a “team-of-teams” concept, combining advanced surface, air and systems assets to create and sustain operational capability. This enables them to prepare for and conduct global operations, have effective and lasting command and control, and demonstrate dedication and commitment to become the strongest warfighting force for the Navy and the nation.

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For more news from Carrier Strike Group Twelve, go to https://www.public.navy.mil/surflant/ccsg12/Pages/default.aspx.