NAS Meridian Training Squadron 9 changing command

Published 10:30 am Thursday, November 15, 2018

Training Squadron 9 at Naval Air Station Meridian plans a change of command ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, with Rear Adm. William Michael Crane, director of Fleet Design/Force Generation, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, as its guest speaker.

Cmdr. John Eveges will be relieved by Cmdr. Brian Baumgaertner as the commanding officer of the squadron. Eveges served as the squadron CO since August 2017. Under his guidance, VT-9 executed 11,736 training missions and 23,890 flight hours in the T-45C Goshawk. Under his leadership the squadron winged 63 Navy and Marine Corps strike fighter aviators, 14 E-2/C-2 aviators and eight international military aviators. Eveges will retire after 20 years of service.

Cmdr. Baumgaertner was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in April 2002 at NAS Pensacola, Florida. Upon completion of primary flight training with the Rangers of VT-28, he reported to the 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, for training in the T-1A Jayhawk. Baumgaertner was designated a Naval Aviator in February 2004, and reported to the Roughnecks of VQ-7 at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, to begin Fleet Replacement training in the E-6B Mercury.

In July of 2004, Baumgaertner reported to the Shadows of VQ-4, where he served as Corrosion Branch Officer, Deployed Schedules Officer, Training Officer, NATOPS Instructor, Mission Commander Evaluator, and Pilot Evaluator.

In May 2008, Baumgaertner reported to Training Squadron 7 at NAS Meridian, where he was designated an instructor pilot in the T-45 Goshawk. In 2010, he submitted an Aviation Warfare Transition request and was ultimately selected for transition to the Electronic Attack (VAQ) Community.

In December 2010, he reported to the Vikings of VAQ-129 in Whidbey Island, Washington, to begin Fleet Replacement training in the EA-6B Prowler. Upon graduation from VAQ-129, Baumgaertner was assigned to the Cougars of VAQ-139.

In January of 2012, VAQ-139 began the EA-18G Growler transition and they were certified safe for flight in August of 2012. On their first EA-18G Growler deployment, attached to CVW-17, the squadron conducted missions in both Iraq and Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. As a department head in VAQ-139, he served as the Administrative Officer, Maintenance Officer, and Operations Officer.

In August 2015, Baumgaertner reported to Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, and earned his master’s in Military Operational Art and Science.

In July of 2016, Baumgaertner reported to U.S. Cyber Command (USCC) in Ft. Meade, Maryland. He served as the Deputy Division Chief for the USCC J7 (Simulation & Exercises).

Baumgaertner has flown more than 3,300 hours in various Navy and Air Force aircraft and has more than 245 carrier arrested landings. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2 awards), Navy Achievement Medal, as well as various other unit and service awards.