Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 held a change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California, Oct. 15.

At the ceremony, Cmdr. Matt Ort relieved Cmdr. Andy Berner as the commanding officer of the "BattleCats" of HSM-73.

Berner, a native of Chatham Township, New Jersey, is a 1996 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. As commander of HSM-73, Berner led a squadron of more than 250 personnel and 12 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. During his tenure, he led HSM-73 on their inaugural deployment with Carrier Air Wing 17, embarked aboard aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). During their deployment the "BattleCats" executed more than 7,000 flight hours and flew nearly 2,500 operational missions while underway in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

During the ceremony, Berner spoke of the 10-month deployment HSM-73 endured during his tenure. He thanked the family and friends of squadron members for their support and encouragement in the face of adversity, citing them as the main elements that led to the success of HSM-73.

Ort, a native of New Haven, Indiana, is a 1997 graduate of Purdue University. At sea, his career as a naval aviator includes assignments with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 43 aboard USS Kinkaid (DD 965), USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964), and USS Elliot (DD 967). He served as an air operations officer for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet and acted as helicopter element coordinator aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). For his department head tour with HSL-37 he deployed aboard USS Reuben James (FFG 57) and was the squadrons operations officer. He served as HSM-73's executive officer from June 2014 to October 2015.

During the ceremony, Ort spoke of how with Berner's guidance the "BattleCats" not only excelled, but set a new high standard for the HSM community and strike group integration. Ort said that Berner's lessons learned will become standard practices for all HSM squadrons and will have an integral role in moving the HSM community forward. Ort looks forward to the continued success of HSM-73 as he takes over as "BattleCat One."

Cmdr. Ross Drenning, a 1999 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, reported as HSM-73's executive officer.

The ceremony's guest speaker, Capt. John Mann, commander, Carrier Air Wing 17, spoke to the pride and professionalism of the entire HSM-73 "BattleCat" team, expressing what an integral part the squadron played on the most recent Carrier Air Wing 17 deployment.

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