Cmdr. Dewon M. Chaney Relieved Capt. Sean P. Rocheleau As Commanding Officer

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron THREE (HSC-3) held a change of command ceremony on November 8 on Naval Air Station North Island. Cmdr. Dewon M. Chaney relieved Capt. Sean P. Rocheleau as commanding officer of HSC-3.

Rocheleau, a native of Hampton, NH, enlisted in 1987 as an Aviation Systems Warfare Operator and was subsequently commissioned through the Seaman to Admiral Program in 1996. He has served with HS-11 “Dragonslayers”, HS-3 “Tridents”, and commanded HSC-4 “Black Knights.” Outside the cockpit, he has served in diverse roles including the Mini Boss aboard USS John F. Kennedy, Joint Forces Staff College, and Joint Staff billets. He has deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Task Force Cutlass, and Counter Piracy Operations. His most recent assignment prior to assuming command of HSC-3 was at Naval Air Force Pacific, serving as Deputy Readiness for all type series aircraft. He will continue to lead from the front as the Deputy Commodore of HELSEACOMBATWINGPAC which is among the largest and most diverse wings in the Navy. Capt. Rocheleau has over 2800 flight hours in the SH-3H and H-60 F/H/S aircraft.

"It has been my pleasure to serve as the Commanding Officer of the Mighty Merlins of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron THREE. For the last 19 months, I have been fortunate to witness the Merlin team work together to deliver the best pilots and aircrew to the fleet,” said Rocheleau. “The motivation, dedication, and comradery of HSC-3 has been truly inspiring and made my time as Commanding Officer a rewarding tour that I will never forget; I couldn't be more proud to have served such a fine group of Sailors! I wish Cmdr. Chaney the best of luck as he leads the Merlins to continued success."

Chaney, a native of Atlanta, enlisted in the Navy in 1993 and was selected to attend the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) program following basic training.  He reported to NAS Pensacola for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in July 2000. CDR Chaney has served in HC-3, HC-5, HSC-25, and commanded HSC-23. He has held billets working with Naval Personnel Command and the Secretary of Defense and served as a Flag Aide and the Mini Boss aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. He has deployed multiple times and has served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Counter Piracy Operations in the Gulf of Aden. He has accumulated over 2000 flight hours in various aircraft to include the CH-46D and H-60S.

HSC-3 is the West Coast Fleet Replacement Squadron, recipient of the 2015 Ellyson Award, the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Pennant, and has flown over 300,000 Class A mishap free hours. This squadron is responsible for supplying qualified pilots and aircrew to Helicopter Sea Combat squadrons throughout the Pacific Fleet. The squadron flies the MH-60S Knight Hawk, one of the Navy's newest and most advanced helicopters, as well as the legacy HH-60-H.  HSC-3 also trains all Air Vehicle Operators (AVO) and Mission Payload Operators (MPO) on the MQ-8 Firescout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

(Source U.S. Navy news release)

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