The Fighting Marlins of Patrol Squadron Forty (VP-40) held its change of command ceremony last Friday, as Cmdr. John M. Maxwell handed the reins to Cmdr. Brett W. Mietus.

The ceremony marked VP-40’s 60th change of command since its commissioning on Jan. 20, 1951. The squadron was joined by guest of honor, Navy Capt. Doug Morgan, former CPRW-10 Commodore, as well as family, friends, and other distinguished visitors at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

Skipper Maxwell took command May 7, 2010, after VP-40 returned from its Fifth Fleet and Sixth Fleet deployments. The Inter Deployment Readiness Cycle (IDRC) has heralded many accomplishments. The Fighting Marlins flew 3422.6 flight hours, adding to the squadron’s 272,442 hours of mishap-free flight. More impressively, VP-40 is prepared to go out the door to Seventh Fleet with 11 crews qualified in anti-submarine warfare, and 12 crews qualified in anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance readiness.

“The officers, chiefs, and sailors in VP-40 have done amazing things this home cycle. They have responded so well to every challenge. I am particularly honored to have been their Skipper,” said Cmdr. Maxwell. His next assignment will take him and his family to Norfolk, Va.

As the Marlins prepare for the approaching deployment, Cmdr. Mietus is determined to continue VP-40’s home-cycle achievements.

“There is no better deployment for a P-3 squadron than the one we’re about to experience,” said Mietus. “Our daily efforts make clear that the squadron is ready to deploy. I look forward to seeing what our sailors are able to accomplish.”

Mietus is a native of Richmond, Va., and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. He began his naval officer career with VP-9 in 1995. After several Fifth Fleet deployments and a Seventh Fleet deployment, Mietus returned to Jacksonville, Fla., to lead the Aircraft Improvement Program (AIP) fleet introduction and be a plankowner for the community’s first Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) class.

Following Cmdr. Mietus’s tour onboard the USS John C. Stennis as the Flag Secretary for Commander, Carrier Group Seven in 2001, Mietus earned a Master’s degree in national security and strategic studies at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.

In 2005, Cmdr. Mietus served on the OPNAV Staff as the deputy executive assistant to the director, air warfare, at the Pentagon. Two years later, he transferred to the Eastern Europe and Eurasia division of the Strategic Plans and Policy directorate on the Joint Staff.

In 2010, Cmdr. Mietus joined his third operational P-3 squadron in Whidbey Island as the executive officer. Mietus brings motivation and the fortitude to lead the Fighting Marlins through a rewarding Seventh Fleet deployment.

“Over our training cycle, the Fighting Marlins have been tested and hardened,” he said. “They are ready to represent our great nation with pride and excellence as we forward deploy.”