The Sidewinders of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 honored their former commanding officer Capt. Paul Spedero Jr.-currently the captain of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike)-by unveiling Spedero's name on the side of one of their jets on the flight deck, Dec 12.

In a squadron, every jet is assigned a number. The second jet in the sequence bears the name of the squadron's current commanding officer Cmdr. Tim Waits, on the left side. When Waits learned that Spedero was taking command of Ike, he asked his team to add Spedero's name to the right side of his jet, number 201.

"The last time VFA-86 deployed, Capt. Spedero was our [commanding officer]," said Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Kolwicuz, VFA-86's maintenance officer. "This is our first time deploying since 2010, and we get to work with him again. Our [commanding officer] thought it would be nice way to honor him."

The Sidewinders of VFA-86 hoped to keep the dedication a surprise until they could organize an official reveal, but their plan didn't account for Spedero's watchful eye.

"I didn't know they had added my name until the jet got here," Spedero said. "When I'm on the bridge, I get to see every aircraft and I'm very attentive, so I did see that 201 had something familiar on it. I saw it on the flight deck, and I was surprised. I looked hard at it and said, 'Hey, that's my name!' I thought it was remarkable for them to do that for me. It means a lot to me."

Spedero met with Bluejacket of the Year Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Jason Asugui, Junior Sailor of the Year Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class David Oldes, Plane Captain of the Year Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Paolo Gramados, Sailor of the Year Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class William Cooley, Senior Sailor of the Year Aviation Electrician's Mate 1st Class Brian Johnston, and Chief of the Year Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Jason Zehnpfennig to recognize their contributions to VFA-86s success.

Kolwicuz said the personnel of VFA-86 are proud to be part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 and are excited to work with a former squadron commanding officer.

"We think it's awesome to be on a carrier that's being commanded by a former Sidewinder," Kolwicuz said. "Winders take care of Winders, and we are happy to be able to extend that ethos to the entire air wing and Ike team."

Spedero echoed that sentiment. "I've probably expanded my group of people that I'll take care of, but I'll always have a special place for the Winders."


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