The "Battle Axe" of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 changed hands during a ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) in the Red Sea, Dec. 2.

Capt. Marc Miguez relieved Capt. Jeffrey Anderson as commander of CVW-3 during the ceremony, which was held in the Ike commanding officer's in-port cabin.

Anderson, a 1991 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, led CVW-3 through pre-deployment work-ups, carrier qualifications, deployment certification and six months of Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group's (Ike CSG) deployment. The air wing's squadrons flew 1,801 sorties in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, logging 11,673 combat flight hours and employing 1,224,611 pounds of ordnance. Under his leadership, the "Battle Axe" team logged more than 29,241 total flight hours since deploying June 1.

Anderson, an Atlanta native, expressed his pride in the Battle Axe team.

"I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of the Ike-Battle Axe team over the past two years and especially on this combat deployment," Anderson said. "This tour has been the highlight of my professional life. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to lead the Officers and Sailors of CVW-3. I am constantly reminded of their service and sacrifice. I see it every day on the flight deck, in the ready rooms, and in the work centers on Ike. I am humbled by it. While this is a bittersweet time for me, changes of command are great because they offer us the opportunity to reflect on all of the great things that the men and women on our staff and in our squadrons have done. I could not be prouder of our team."

Miguez, from New Iberia, Louisiana, is a graduate of the University of South Alabama and was designated a naval flight officer in May 1995.

"It has been a true privilege and honor to have served as CAG Anderson's deputy," Miguez said. "The men and women of CVW-3 are the beneficiary of his guidance and leadership during workups and this combat deployment thus far. We all wish him and his family fair winds and following seas. As the Battle Axe has been passed, our primary mission of delivering kinetic and non-kinetic effects both ashore and at sea will not change. I am extremely proud to be a member of Team Battle Axe and I have no doubt we will finish this deployment stronger and more capable than when we started."

Capt. Dusty Rhodes assumed duties as the deputy commander of CVW-3.

CVW-3 is comprised of the "Fighting Swordsmen" of VFA-32, the "Sidewinders" of VFA-86, the "Gunslingers" of VFA-105, the "Wildcats" of VFA-131, the "Zappers" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, the "Screwtops" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, the "Dusty Dogs" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 and the "Swamp Foxes" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74.

CVW-3 is deployed as part of Ike CSG 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. Ike CSG includes CSG-10 staff, Ike, CVW-3, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 staff, guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61), guided-missile destroyers USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94).


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