Published: December 05, 2008 11:40 pm      

NAS Meridian welcomes in new squadron commander

From Special Reports



Training Squadron Nine said farewell to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kochanski on Friday morning during a change of command ceremony.

Commander Anthony Wright was welcomed as the squadron's new commanding officer.

The guest speaker for the ceremony was Col. Wilbert Thomas, USMC, who is commanding officer of Marine Aviation Training Support Group-21.

Under Kochanski's leadership, VT-9 amassed more than 15,185 sorties and more than 17,897 training flight hours in the T-45C Goshawk. The squadron designated 75 new naval aviators, completed training for one international student, and produced 15 instructor pilots. His creative problem solving resulted in the safe and successful completion of more than 1,300 sorties through weekend flying out of outlying military and civilian airfields. While averaging only 80 percent of authorized instructor manning, Kochanski adroitly managed both the active duty and reserve component to achieve desired production goals and dramatically increased Selective Reserve production from 29 percent to nearly 35 percent.

Wright, an F/A-18C Hornet pilot, completed multiple at-sea periods and one Operation Southern Watch (OSW) deployment while assigned to VFA-195 “Dambusters,” and left Japan in August 1997 as a Wing Qualified Landing Signal Officer and Strike Lead.

He then graduated from Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and joined the “Outlaws” of Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific as a Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor, teaching courses in advanced strike fighter tactics.

In January of 2000, Wright returned to Japan and joined the “Argonauts” of VFA-147 (2002 Battle E Winners) as the Training Officer. Following an OSW deployment and turnaround, he stayed on for his Department Head tour. Wright was the Operations Officer for the Argo’s 2001-2 Operation Enduring Freedom deployment, Maintenance Officer for the 2003 Western Pacific deployment and Safety Officer during the seven-month turnaround between those cruises.

In August of 2003, Wright was selected for the Washington, D.C., Internship Program. He graduated first in his class from George Washington University earning a Master’s in Organizational Management. He also enjoyed six-month tours with OPNAV, Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff. He next reported to Director, Air Warfare, OPNAV N78 as the Air to Ground Weapons Requirements Officer in June of 2005. While there he earned a Level II certification in Program Management from the Defense Acquisition University.

In October of 2007, Wright joined the “Tigers” of Training Squadron Nine as the Executive Officer. In his spare time he earned a second Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

Commander Wright’s awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Strike Flight Air Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, three Naval Achievement Medals and seven Sea Service Deployment Ribbons. He has 3,200 hours and 700 traps. His favorite job thus far in his career has been the Maintenance Officer of VFA-147. His favorite flight was a head to head mock engagement against a German MiG-29 flown by a USAF Weapons School Grad on an exchange tour.

Kochanski’s next duty assignment will be assigned as Current Ops at Patch Barracks, Headquarters, United States European Command, Stuttgart, Germany.