The "Gunslingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 conducted an airborne change of command ceremony over Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, April 26.

Cmdr. Erik Stinson relieved Cmdr. Mitchell McCallister as commanding officer while flying F/A-18E Super Hornets.

McCallister, a 1998 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and native of Shreveport, Louisiana, took command of the Gunslingers at the end of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group's 2016 deployment and successful sustainment and maintenance phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP).

He expressed the deep and personal connection he had forged with the squadron.

"The opportunity to lead the amazing Sailors of VFA-105 was the honor of my life," McCallister said. "We've been through both great successes and times of struggle, and at every point I've had the utmost confidence in my team. I enjoyed every minute of it. It's the best tour I've had so far. This is the highlight of my career and I will miss it dearly."

McCallister is scheduled to report next to Naval Air Force Atlantic, Norfolk.

Stinson, a 2000 graduate of Auburn University and formerly the squadron's executive officer, said he was thankful for the opportunity to serve in his new position and expressed gratitude for the support the Gunslingers had provided him leading up to his placement as commanding officer.

"This has been a dream of mine for my entire career," Stinson said. "I've worked closely with each and every Sailor that met me on the ground here today and I know that they are capable and willing to do great things. With the steadfast support of the Gunslingers, the mentorship I receive from my peers and the love I receive from my wife and children, anything is possible. I want to turn around and give that all back to the squadron, to continue the powerful momentum that McCallister started and keep pressing until we complete the work up cycle and get back out to the fight."

VFA-105 is part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, the air warfare commander for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, also known as the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group.

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