Change of command for Air Reconnaissance Squad 1

Published 1:30 am Sunday, May 16, 2021

NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND — Cmdr. David Van Kampen assumed command of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1) from Cmdr. Nicholas J. Lunsford during an April ceremony at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Van Kampen of Reno, Nev., previously served as the squadron’s executive officer.

Lunsford’s next duty assignment is at the National War College at Fort Leslie McNair in Washington, D.C.

The squadron, known as “World Watchers,” operates a mix of 17 landbased Lockheed EP-3E Aries II and P-3 Orion aircraft; it is the only unit in the U.S. Navy to operate the EP-3E electronic signals reconnaissance aircraft

Cmdr. Nicholas Bullard of San Diego will replace Van Kampen as squadron executive officer.