SAN DIEGO (Jan. 27, 2021) – Capt. P. Scott Miller relieved Capt. Matthew Paradise as commanding officer of Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during a change of command ceremony on the ship, Jan. 24.
Paradise assumed command of Vinson in June 2018. Rear Adm. Timothy Kott, commander, Carrier Strike Group One, presided over the event and praised Paradise’s leadership.
"The continued success of Vinson and her crew are a direct result of your exceptional leadership," said Kott. "Your efforts have ensured Vinson’s ability to deploy forward with a more lethal and ready flagship, manned by the world's best trained, educated and well-equipped Sailors."
Paradise led Vinson's crew of 3,200 Sailors through several exercises, two changes of homeport, various carrier qualifications and a 17-month docking planned incremental availability, during which the ship was modified to support both the joint strike fighter and CMV-22 Osprey.
During his final address to the ship’s crew as Vinson's captain, Paradise spoke via the ship’s internal address system, thanking the crew for their hard work and dedication.
"Thank you for all you have done," said Paradise. "From the highest level officer to the most junior Sailor, this ship is nothing without its crew. It has been the absolute privilege of a lifetime to be your commanding officer."
Paradise received the Legion of Merit award for exceptional accomplishments during his tour. He is next scheduled to report to Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific in San Diego.
After Miller assumed all duties and responsibilities as Vinson's commanding officer, he addressed the crew as captain for the first time.
"Shipmates, I am proud to be serving alongside you on Carl Vinson as her 17th commanding officer," said Miller. "Soon, we will be put to the test. The schedule for 2021 is demanding, and we will rise to the challenge. Our crew and our ship are strong, and we will prevail. I look forward to starting a groundbreaking deployment as the new look of naval aviation with the air wing of the future."
Miller is a second generation Naval Aviator and a 1994 graduate from the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. He holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
After earning his wings in 1997, he completed F/A-18C Fleet Replacement Squadron training with VFA-106 at Naval Air Station Cecil Field. Capt. Miller’s career includes operational tours with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 at NAS Cecil Field and NAS Oceana; VFA-87 at NAS Oceana; as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of VFA-192 at Naval Air Facility Atsugi and NAS Lemoore; and as the Executive Officer of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).
Ashore, he served as a VFA-106 Instructor Pilot and Landing Signals Officer at NAS Oceana; as Flag Lieutenant for Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet/U.S. Naval Forces Central Command; and on the Joint Staff J-8 as the author of the Secretary of Defense’s Global Force Management Implementation Guidance. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, four Strike Flight Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign and unit level awards to include five Battle Efficiency Awards. He has accumulated over 3,100 flight hours and more than 700 carrier arrested landings.
Vinson is currently pierside in its homeport of San Diego.
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Date Taken: | 01.27.2021 |
Date Posted: | 01.27.2021 14:16 |
Story ID: | 387693 |
Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
Web Views: | 2,284 |
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