Photo By Anne Owens | Cmdr. Joseph Karaffa assumes command of the “Wise Owls” of Training Squadron (VT)...... read more read more
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The “Wise Owls” of Training Squadron (VT) 31 held a change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi involving an aerial flyover and a ground-based ceremony segment, November 18.
During the aerial flyover segment, Cmdr. Joseph Karaffa relieved Cmdr. Quinn Rhodes as commanding officer of VT-31 by taking the lead of a formation flight. Karaffa then demonstrated a carrier break in a formation flight with Rhodes.
“I am honored to have led the Wise Owls for the past 14 and a half months,” Rhodes said. “All of VT-31’s success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of my IPs (instructor pilots) and civilian staff — they truly represent the best of the Navy. I wish the best of luck to Skipper Karaffa and XO (executive officer) Stochel as they begin the next chapter in the storied history of the Wise Owls.”
Rhodes is a native of Pendleton, Oregon. He received his commission in 2002 from the University of Rochester in New York. He began his career flying the E-2C Hawkeye at Naval Station Norfolk, and flew multiple combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has since attended the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and served aboard USS George Washington and USS Ronald Reagan. He completed multiple training evolutions aboard these ships including Rim of the Pacific in 2014. Before taking command of VT-31, he reported to the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, serving in various positions such as the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s aide de camp. He reported for duty as executive officer for VT-31 in June 2019 and assumed command in September 2020.
Karaffa is a native of Great Falls, Montana. He received his commission from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in January of 2004. After completing initial training in the P-3C Orion in April 2007, he reported to the “Screaming Eagles” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 1 in Oak Harbor, Washington. While attached to VP-1, he completed multiple deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He then reported to VT-31 in June 2010 as an instructor pilot (IP). He has since graduated from NPS and completed Joint Professional Military Education I through the Navy War College. In May 2013, he reported to USS Nimitz serving as a tactical action officer and then reported back to VP-1 as a department head. Before taking command of VT-31, he served as operations officer for Commander Task Force (CTF) 67 in Sigonella, Sicily. He reported as executive officer of VT-31 in September 2020 and assumed command in November 2021.
“I could not be more excited and honored to be back at VT-31 to command the Wise Owls,” Karaffa said. “It was a privilege to serve as XO under Cmdr. Rhodes, and I hope to continue the culture of excellence the squadron experienced under his leadership.”
Capt. Jeremy Rifas served as the guest speaker for the event. Rifas serves as Commodore of Training Air Wing Four (TW4) and assumed command in June 2020.
“It was great to work with Cmdr. Rhodes and I congratulate him on a fantastic tour,” Rifas said. “I wish him the best as he goes on to his next adventure.”
Rhodes’ next assignment is to USS Nimitz (CVN-68) where he will serve as air boss.
VT-31 is one of two advanced multi-engine training squadrons under TW4, based at NAS Corpus Christi. VT-31 trains student naval aviators from the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard as well as international students from allied nations to include Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway.
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.29.2021 16:35 |
| Story ID: | 410129 |
| Location: | CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 742 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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