Originally created Thursday, April 17, 2008
Gordon Is New HSL-42 Skipper
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The ceremony marked the end of a successful tour for Skiff, under whose leadership the squadron earned two consecutive awards for Battle Efficiency and CNAL Retention Excellence, the fourth consecutive air-wing Talon Award for superior mission accomplishment in anti-submarine warfare and the Captain Arnold J. Isbell Trophy for excellence in anti-submarine warfare.
Skiff's tour at HSL-42 caps a flying career that began in 1990 following his graduation from the Virginia Military Institute. His sea assignments include tours with the HSL-37 "Easyriders," USS Essex (LHD 2), and HSL-43 "Battlecats," and shore assignments with the HSL-41 "Seahawks," Flag Aide to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Requirements and staff of the Secretary of the Navy in the Office of Strategic Planning. Skiff is moving to Stuttgart, Germany with his wife, Diane, and three children to work at US European Command Standing Joint Force Headquarters.
Cmdr. Christopher Failla
Having served as executive officer of the Proud Warriors for the past 16 months, Gordon is intimately familiar with the workings of the squadron. In his remarks, he thanked many people who have influenced and guided him throughout his life.
He said that the ceremony is about a change in leadership from one commanding officer to another, but to him it is "an opportunity for us to recognize the great accomplishments of Skiff and also a chance to recognize those who have molded me and given me the tools to be able to take the reigns of this great squadron. I used the term 'a change in leadership, not change in command,' for I feel that being in command is all about leadership…. Some people will say that many of the great leaders of the world are born that way. I say no, I think that every leader needs the following things: a hero to look up to, a sense of direction, mentorship, friendship, and inspiration."
Gordon is a native of Columbia, South Carolina and a 1989 graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology. He earned his commission through the NROTC program in 1990 and was designated a naval aviator in 1991.
After completing flight training in the SH60B Seahawk at HSL-40 in September 1992, he reported to HSL-44 for his first fleet tour. While there, Gordon was awarded the 1994 Commander HSLWING Atlantic Fleet Aviation Valor and embarked Aircrew of the Year Awards as well as the Sikorsky Rescue Pin for his daring night, high-seas rescue of five civilians from a sinking vessel.
Two years later, he was awarded his second Sikorsky Rescue Pin for a heroic rescue of six civilians and one aircrewman from atop a burning smokestack in Palatka, Florida. He was also awarded HSL-44's Detachment Maintenance Officer and Detachment of the Year awards for 1995.
Gordon's other tours include a flight instructor billet at HSL-40 where he was recognized as the Instructor of the Year for 1998, Squadron Weapons and Tactics Instructor and detachment Assistant Officer-in-Charge at HSL-44, detailer at Naval Personnel Command (BUPERS), Detachment Officer-in-Charge and Squadron Operations Officer at HSL-42 where he was named the HSL-42 and COMHSLWINGLANT 2003 Officer of the Year and the 2003 Commander Naval Air Forces Leadership Award winner.
He also served with the Joint Staff's Force Application Assessment Division in Washington, D.C. as an Aviation Capabilities Analyst, an Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director for Force Application and was a member of the J-3's National Military Command Center in direct support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.
Gordon closed his remarks with a challenge to each Proud Warrior to "some way strive to be a hero and a mentor, to inspire and to provide a sense of direction. I truly believe if we as a command do those things with and for each other, then we will always succeed and continue to be what we all know we are: the best squadron in the United States Navy." The Proud Warriors welcome Executive Officer, Cmdr. Christopher P. Failla. Failla began his fleet career in HSL-42 and is rejoining the squadron following a tour on the OPNAV staff where he served as lead aviation programmer.
"I am extremely excited and proud to return as the executive officer and to follow in the footsteps of so many great LAMPS leaders," said Failla before the ceremony. "This is my third tour as a Proud Warrior and I have never seen the squadron looking and performing better than it does today. The personnel here are the most dedicated and professional sailors and officers I have ever served with and I am honored to be their executive officer. Under Skipper Gordon's guidance, this command will continue to be the place everyone wants to keep coming to and say they were a part of."
