CVW-3 Welcomes New CAG during Aerial Change of Command Ceremony
11 December 2020
Virginia Beach, Va. -- Team “Battle Axe” of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 stationed aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana held an aerial change of command ceremony, Dec. 11, flying F/A-18 Super Hornets above Naval Air Station Oceana to mark a transition of command leadership.
During the change of command event, Capt. Marcos Jasso, a native of Tucson, Arizona, assumed all duties and responsibilities as the CVW- 3 commander from Capt. Trevor Estes, a native of Poland Spring, Maine.
Estes served as both deputy commander and commander of CVW-3. Since arriving at Team Battle Axe, he has led over 1,800 officers and enlisted personnel through a variety of events, including a highly successful Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP) and the completion of a 5th and 6th fleet deployment during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“I have been immensely proud of the men and women of CVW-3 and their accomplishments during my time with Team Battle Axe especially during this past year,” said Estes.
In August 2020, nine aircraft squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW-3) returned to Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Naval Station (NS) Norfolk, NAS Whidbey Island, and NAS Jacksonville, following their seven-month deployment aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). While embarked, CVW-3 conducted 166 sorties and 1,135 flight hours in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel missions, and 112 sorties and 492 flight hours in support of Strait of Hormuz transits and Deliberate Presence Patrols (DPP) in U.S. 5th Fleet.
Jasso, who also served as CVW-3’s deputy commander discussed the complexity and synergy applied by Estes and the wing to support all phases of the OFRP.
“Under his leadership, Capt. Estes truly set the conditions for success,” said Jasso. “I look forward to serving as CVW-3 CAG and continuing maintaining our levels of material and training readiness to ensure our operational capability and readiness.”
Established on July 1, 1938, CVW-3’s mission is to conduct carrier air warfare and project power.