Anne Ditch pins husband Paul with his US NAVY Command at Sea pin.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Lafayette native Paul K. Ditch has taken command of Patrol Squadron VP-45, a Navy P-3C squadron based ashore in NAS Jacksonville.
Commander (CDR) Ditch, a 1981 graduate of Cathedral-Carmel High School in Lafayette, relieved CDR Michael D. Doherty in ceremonies last Friday (06 May 2011).
In remarks as he took command, CDR Ditch spoke of the many successes of the Pelican family and praised the men and women of the squadron for their dedication, loyalty and professionalism and thanked the families of VP-45 sailors, recognizing the sacrifices that enable the Pelicans to accomplish their job.
From left, former VP-45 Commanding Officer CDR Michael Doherty, VP-45 Commanding Officer CDR Paul Ditch.
CDR Ditch could not be reached for comment.
As commander, Ditch will lead the Pelicans in their upcoming tri-site deployment in June.
Ditch enlisted in the Navy in 1987. As a first tour aviation anti-submarine warfare operator, he was stationed at the ASW Operations Center, Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and as an instructor at HSL-41 at NAS North Island.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of LaVerne in 1993, was commissioned as an ensign from Aviation Officer Candidate School, and earned his Naval Flight Officer Wings of Gold in 1994.
Original article can be found at: http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20110510/NEWS01/105100302/Lafayette-native-becomes-Navy-s-newest-skipper
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