The "Bounty Hunters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2 conducted an airborne change of command Nov. 22 overhead USS George Washington (CVN 73).

At precisely 1435 local time, Cmdr. Roy "SYFH" Wylie relinquished command of the squadron to Cmdr. Shawn "WaRIO" Kirlin during a flyover while squadron personnel watched from the flight deck.

Wylie flew with Lt. Travis Page, while Kirlin flew with Lt. Cmdr. Phil Brown.

Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, Capt. Max "Pepper" McCoy presided over the event from a third F/A-18F in formation.

As the three aircraft flew overhead, Wylie passed the lead to Kirlin symbolizing the transfer of authority and effecting the official change of command. Upon trapping, the three aircraft taxied out of the Landing Area where squadron personnel were waiting.

VFA-2 officers celebrated Wylie's last flight in the command by watering him down with buckets of water in a time-honored Naval Aviation tradition. McCoy presented Wylie with a Meritorious Service Medal to recognize Wylie's outstanding efforts and leadership during his time as Commanding Officer.

Wylie assumed command of VFA-2 in September 2014. Under his leadership, the "Bounty Hunters" completed a highly successful workup cycle and then deployed aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) in September 2015 to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, conducting operations within 4th Fleet while transiting to the aircraft carrier's new homeport in Norfolk, Virginia. During that time, VFA-2 participated in UNITAS and bilateral exercises with Peru, Chile and Brazil. As a testament to his leadership, the squadron was awarded the 2014 Lt. j.g. Bruce Carrier Memorial Award for Excellence in Maintenance. Wylie will be heading to Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island in Coronado, California, next where he will be joining the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 15 staff.

Kirlin was designated a Naval Flight Officer in December 1998 and selected for training in the F-14 Tomcat with the "Grim Reapers" of Fighter Squadron (VF) 101 at NAS Oceana, Virginia. Kirlin's first operational tour was with the "Swordsmen" of VF-32 where he deployed on the maiden voyage of the USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) in support of Operation Southern Watch. Upon completion of his tour with the "Swordsmen," he was selected to transition and earned his Naval Aviator wings. Kirlin returned to the fleet with the "War Party" of VFA-87 flying the F/A-18C, later transitioning to the F/A-18A.

In 2008, he joined the "Eagles" of VFA-115 at NAS Lemoore, California, as a department head and deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). In 2009, the "Eagles" completed a permanent duty station change to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. Shortly after, he deployed aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) in support of U.S. 7th Fleet theater security operations and participated in exercises Invincible Spirit, Valiant Shield and Keen Sword. In May 2011 Kirlin received orders to the Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee. While there he served as the Strike Fighter and Carrier Air Wing placement officer, responsible for officer manpower management for the West Coast, Forward Deployed Naval Forces and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Kirlin has accumulated over 2,450 flight hours and 500 arrested landings.

VFA-2's new executive officer is Cmdr. Jason "Hutch" Hutcherson. Hutcherson graduated from Florida State University in 1999 and earned his commission through Officer Candidate School. He completed tours in VS-30, VFA-41 and VFA-2, prior to becoming the executive officer of VFA-2. His operational experience includes flying missions in support of Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.

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