The "Raptors" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 held a change of command ceremony, May 7, at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island in San Diego.

During the ceremony, Cmdr. Paul D. Will relieved Cmdr. Ryan Tewell as the commanding officer of HSM 71.

Tewell has been in command of HSM-71 since Feb. 21, 2014. Under his guidance, HSM-71 lived up to its motto as the "First and Finest" MH-60R Seahawk helicopter squadron in the fleet. The "Raptors" supported HSM-77 and HSM-51 Helicopter Advanced Readiness Program periods with 100 percent "Ready for Tasking" aircraft, as well as a Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center detachment to complete the August 2014 Seahawk Weapons Tactic Instructor class.

The "Raptors" were selected to represent rotary-wing aviation at Black Dart 2014, a multiservice counter-unmanned aerial system demonstration with participants from all of the U.S. uniformed services and the Department of Defense. The highlight of the demonstration for HSM-71 was a successful live air-to-air engagement, a first for the HSM community, effectively eliminating an Outlaw II unmanned aerial system.

Through Tewell's leadership, the squadron received the Admiral Thach Award for outstanding achievement and contributions to naval aviation; the Commander, Naval Air Forces, Blue "M" for medical readiness; and surpassed 34,000 mishap-free flight hours. Tewell attributes the success to the squadron's focus on mission, personal and professional development, integrity and the "Raptor" family.

Will, a native of Berlin, Pennsylvania, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1997. His career includes assignments with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light (HSL) 47 aboard USS Constellation (CV 64), HSL-41, assistant navigator aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), and HSM-70. His last assignment was in support of the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C., in J-34, Deputy Directorate for Antiterrorism/Homeland Defense.

HSM-71 deploys its helicopters, aircrew, and maintainers aboard aircraft carriers, cruisers and destroyers. The squadron's missions include carrier defense, intelligence and surveillance, reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, counter-piracy operations, maritime interdiction operations, humanitarian aid, and search and rescue.

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