Cmdr. Paul Essig

New CO At HSL-44

From HSL-44

Cmdr. Paul Essig relieved Cmdr. Jack Sotherland as commanding officer of HSL-44 during a change of command ceremony on Feb. 11 at the command hangar where.

The guest speaker for the ceremony was Adm. John G. Morgan. Morgan is currently serving as the Senior Military Advisor to the Secretary of the Navy.

Essig hails from Reading, Penn. He graduated from Villanova University and was commissioned via NROTC in May 1986.

Following flight school, Essig reported to the HSL-31 Archangels at NAS North Island, Calif., for flight training in the SH-2F Seasprite.

Cmdr. Jack Sotherland

In May 1988, he reported to the Sea Snakes of HSL-33 where he made three deployments. The first voyage, on board USS John Young (DD 973), was to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Earnest Will.

Essig deployed twice aboard USS Downes (FF 1070) to the North Pacific, Sea of Japan and Bering Sea during two successive winters.

He reported to the SH-2G Fleet Introduction Team as NATOPS and Training Programs Manager. When the SH-2G became an all reserve program, he returned to HSL-33 as an OIC on counter-drug detachments operating in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific on board USS Reasoner (FF 1063) and USS Truxton (CGN 35). In 1993, he deployed on board USS Chandler (DDG 996) conducting maritime interception operations in the Arabian Gulf as well as taking station off Mogadishu, Somalia, in support of Operation Restore Hope.

In April 1994, Essig reported to USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) as Assistant Air Operations and Training Officer.

He made its maiden voyage in 1995, the capstone event being the rescue of downed Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady from Bosnia by Marines and Sailors from Kearsarge.

In 1996, he reported to Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet as Helicopter Training and Readiness Officer.

In November 1996, he was ordered to the HSL-40 Airwolves in Mayport, Fla., for transition training to the SH-60B Seahawk.

In May 1997, he reported to the Swamp Foxes of HSL-44 and deployed for his sixth cruise on board USS Deyo (DD 989).

During the Mediterranean deployment, Deyo detached from the Battle Group and supported NATO's Standing Naval Force, Mediterranean.

Essig finished his tour as the squadron Maintenance Officer.

In November 1999, the Essigs moved to the Washington, D.C. area where he reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Operations Directorate, as a Watch Officer in the National Military Command Center.

His Operations Team supported the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs during initial crisis response. Commander Essig returns to the ''Swamp Foxes'' as executive officer on Dec.5, 2002.

Sotherland reported to HSL-44 in August 2001, to serve as the squadron's executive officer. He assumed command of HSL-44 in December 2002.

Sotherland's next assignment will be as the Navigator on board the USS Eisenhower, homeported out of Naval Station Norfolk, Va.