Super Hornet squadron CO fired

[unhappycamper]

Cmdr. Thomas O'Dowd


Super Hornet squadron CO fired
By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Nov 15, 2007 16:59:58 EST

SAN DIEGO — The commander of the Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet training squadron was fired Wednesday for what officials said was “a loss of confidence in his ability to lead his squadron,” Navy officials said Thursday.

Cmdr. Thomas O’Dowd, who took over Strike Fighter Squadron 122 in July, was relieved by Capt. Hal Murdock, who commands Strike Fighter Wing-Pacific, according to a statement issued by Naval Air Forces in Coronado, Calif.

No explanation was given. O’Dowd was reassigned temporarily to Murdock’s command, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, “pending further review,” officials said in the statement.

Murdock assigned Capt. Stephen Foley, the wing’s deputy commander, as the acting commander for VAF-122, which is the Navy’s fleet replacement squadron for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.

O’Dowd entered the Navy in 1987 and became an F-14 Tomcat naval flight officer, according to his official biography. He’s tallied more than 2,000 hours in the Tomcat and 650 hours in the Super Hornet and made 750 arrested landings on aircraft carriers.

He deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1990-1991 and took part in the Persian Gulf War. He also participated in operations in Somalia from the aircraft carrier Ranger. After several fleet and staff tours, he served as executive officer of VFA-103 as the squadron transitioned to the Super Hornet, taking command of that squadron in May 2006. The squadron received a Battle “E” award for efficiency while O’Dowd was in command.


Article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/11/navy_cofired_071115w/