Thursday's Internet Edition, March 11, 2010.
|
Guest speaker for the ceremony will be Rear Adm. (Select) Mark S. Boensel, Commander, Navy Region Southeast.
Capt. Waddingham attended Pennsylvania State University and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps via the Platoon Leaders Class program in May 1984. He graduated from The Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Va., in March 1985. Then, following a Department of the Navy policy decision to meet increased pilot training requirements, he completed an inter-service transfer to the Navy
Capt. Waddingham began his naval aviation training at NAS Pensacola, Fla., and completed primary flight training with Training Squadron Two (VT-2) at NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Fla., in September 1985, before receiving orders to VT-23 at NAS Kingsville, Texas, to begin intermediate jet training. Prior to reporting on board NAS Kingsville, he served as logistics officer for Commander, Training Air Wing Four (TW-4) in Corpus Christi, Texas. He completed jet pilot training with the Golden Eagles of VT-22 and received his Wings of Gold on Feb. 5, 1988.
Capt. Waddingham’s first fleet assignment sent him to Whidbey Island, Wash., for training in the EA-6B Prowler with the VAQ-129 Vikings. From January 1989 to June 1991, he served with the Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) One Thirty Two (VAQ 132) “Scorpions” embarked in USS Saratoga (CV-60) and flew his first combat missions in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Following his initial EA-6B tour, Capt. Waddingham returned to NAS Kingsville, this time as an instructor with the VT-21 “Fighting Redhawks.” Here, as part of the initial cadre to train and teach in the T-45A Goshawk, he flew 900 total hours in the TA-4J and T-45A aircraft.
From August 1994 to June 1995, Capt. Waddingham attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala. He then returned to NAS Whidbey Island for his department head tour, where he became a plankowner of the VAQ-133 “Wizards”, and made the squadron’s maiden deployment to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, in January 1997.
In July 1998, following Joint Professional Military Education at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Capt. Waddingham reported to the United States Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base (AFB), Tampa, Fla., where he was designated a Joint Specialty Officer and was selected for EA-6B command.
Capt. Waddingham’s command assignments include VAQ-143 where he served as prospective commanding officer of the “Cobras” from July 2001 to November 2002, and VAQ-134, where he served as executive officer of the “Garudas,” participating in Operation Northern Watch and deployment to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On Feb. 5, 2004, he assumed command of the “Garudas,” and in April he deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In July 2005, Capt. Waddingham reported to Commander, Carrier Strike Group Ten as air operations officer where he flew with Carrier Air Wing Three and VAQ-130 on board USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Additionally, he completed a surge deployment with the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group in support of Coalition Operation Partnership of the Americas. In the summer of 2006, Capt. Waddingham was temporarily assigned to U.S. Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in support of the Global War on Terror.
During his career, Capt. Waddingham has logged more than 3,300 total flight hours
Capt. Crabbe assumed command Aug. 6, 2004.
A native of Long Island, N.Y., he attended the Naval Academy Prep School in Newport, R.I. prior to entering the Naval Academy in July 1976. Upon graduation in May 1980 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in physics, he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Marine Corps. After graduating from The Basic School (TBS) at Quantico, Va., in April of 1981, he began flight school at NAS Pensacola, Fla. He earned his wings of Gold and designation as a Naval Aviator on Feb. 18, 1983 at NAS Beeville.
In October 1999, Capt. Crabbe reported as Executive Officer to Training Squadron Twenty One (VT-21) at NAS Kingsville, and in September 2000, he assumed command of the squadron.
Capt. Crabbe has logged more than 3,500 flight hours during his aviation career and recorded more than 500 arrested landings. He flew in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Southern Watch, and ensured the safe launch and recovery of more than 15,000 aircraft during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Capt. Crabbe’s next assignment will be as Chief of Staff for the Chief of Naval Air Training, headquartered at NAS in Corpus Christi.