BAHRAIN -- Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 and Commander Task Group (CTG) 57.2 and 47.1, will conduct a Change of Command in Bahrain on April 1. Cmdr. Derek Adametz, will relieve Cmdr. Todd Libby, as the 66th Commanding Officer of VP-8.
Cmdr. Adametz earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program in May 1996, and was designated a Naval Aviator in February 1998.
Cmdr. Adametz’ previous squadrons include the ‘Pelicans’ of VP-45 and the ‘Mad Foxes’ of VP-5, both located at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL, and the ‘Grey Knights’ of VP-46 located at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA. He was also assigned to the Naval Historical Center at the Washington Navy Yard, USS NIMITZ (CVN 68), and the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, CA where he earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, with Distinction, and a minor in Applied Physics.
Before reporting to Patrol Squadron 8, Cmdr. Adametz was the Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs where he assisted in policy development and execution in the areas of countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, Nuclear and Missile Defense Policy, DoD Cyber Security and Space. Cmdr. Adametz will be the 66th Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron 8.
VP-8 is currently deployed to the United States Navy’s FOURTH and FIFTH Fleet Areas of Responsibility conducting Maritime Security Operations, supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Countering Transnational Organized Crime.
The event will mark the end of Cmdr. Libby’s second tour as a “Fighting Tiger,” where he previously served as Legal, Readiness and Naval Flight Officer (NFO) Training Officer from 1997 to 2000. As Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Libby successfully led the “Fighting Tigers” through a challenging Inter-Deployment Readiness Cycle while preparing for a multi-site deployment to Bahrain and El Salvador and various detachment sites. During his tenure as the Commanding Officer, the “Fighting Tigers” have flown 432 sorties and 3,336 mishap-free flight hours. Following the Change of Command, Cmdr. Libby will transfer to the United States Northern Command in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
For more information about VP-8’s mission, history and biographies, visit our official homepage at: http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/vp8/Pages/default.aspx
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