Sholley to Turn Over Command of HT-8
Sholley to Turn Over Command of HT-8
Cmdr. Hans Sholley will turn over command of Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT to Cmdr. Paul Bowdich Friday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. in the Naval Air Station Whiting Field Atrium. Col. James Grace, Training Air Wing FIVE commodore, will serve as the guest speaker for the event.
During his tenure, Sholley led Helicopter Training Squadron EIGHT to fly over 20,000 flight hours and 11,000 sorties. This dedication enabled the squadron to wing 193 Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Allied Combat Aviation Professionals, exceeding Chief of Naval Air Training mandated training output by five percent.
A 1992 graduate of the Naval Academy, Sholley has been a Naval aviator since completing helicopter training at HT-18 in 1994. He has deployed aboard the USS ROBERT G BRADLEY (FFG 49), USS CARON (DD 970) and the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6). Sholley served as a search and rescue pilot at Naval Air Station Key West as well as working in the operational plans and force development directorate for the Joint Staff in Washington D.C.
As the executive officer, Bowdich was instrumental in helping lead the squadron to meet these lofty accomplishments. Following helicopter training at Helicopter Training Squadron 18, Bowdich was designated a Naval aviator in 1997 and has flown the UH-3H/VH-3A “Sea King” with Helicopter Sea Combat Support Squadron TWO. He completed tours aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), USS Ogden (LPD-5) and USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Bowdich has also served as a fleet replacement squadron instructor and has worked in the Coalition Coordination Center for U.S. Central Command. He has been the executive officer since 2010.
Cmdr. Matthew Bowen will assume the duties as the squadron’s executive officer.
