Disestablishment ends VR-52’s 40-year legacy Published Oct. 2, 2012 By 2nd Lt. David J. Murphy Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Fleet Logistics Support Squadron VR-52 "Taskmasters" will close its doors for good here after Sept. 29 after 40 years of service. Most VR-52 Sailors left after the disestablishment ceremony Sept. 9, but some remained to conduct final administrative duties and historical archiving. "I truly had no idea what I was in store for when I checked into VR-52," said Cmdr. Chip Dewalt, VR-52 commander, during the disestablishment ceremony. "It does not matter how much preparation, how much thought or much planning you do, you simply are not ready to say good bye." Dewalt took command of VR-52 in December 2011 and was informed of the squadron's upcoming disestablishment a month later. The disestablishment is part of the Navy's effort to transition from the costly and aging C-9B Skytrain to the more efficient and modern C-40 Clipper. VR-52 is one of three C-9B squadrons being disestablished within the Fleet Logistic Support Wing, based out of Joint Base Fort Worth, Texas. Other squadrons closing Saturday include VR-46, out of JB FW, and VR-48, out of Joint Base Andrews, Md. All remaining C-9Bs have either been moved to VR-61, located at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Wa., until they are replaced by C-40s, or a bone yard in Tuscon, Ariz. said Dewalt. The ceremony concluded with the lowering of the VR-52 pennant, a symbol of the commanding officer. DeWalt received the pennant because he is the last commanding officer of VR-52. "It is an honor to hold onto the pennant," said DeWalt. "The Chief's Mess (all of the E-7s and above in the squadron) presented the pennant to me in a picture frame and it is now prominently displayed in my home. VR-52's pennant will be safe with me, but should the day ever come, when the Navy decides to bring the 'Taskmasters' back, I will be waiting to bring her out of 'retirement.'" The squadron spent the past 18 months working to ensure every member received orders elsewhere. Active duty members will return to the fleet, other squadrons or Naval support activities. Reservists will transfer to other squadrons, transition to other billets, change rates to pursue different jobs or retire. DeWalt is reporting to the Pacific Command staff in Hawaii this November. "It's breaking my heart," said Petty Officer 1st Class Wannette Kisiel, VR-52 loadmaster. "They're like family, and I was hoping to retire out of here." Kisiel has been with VR-52 since 2002 and will be moving to VR-1 located at JBA. Other members will go on to support VR-64. "We've had some people finish their tours and come over to VR-64," said Lt. Cmdr. Tim Topping, VR-64 operations officer. "The great thing about the VR community is that experience can carry over." The decommissioning ceremony is one of two unique ceremonies that occur during the existence of any ship, shore command or squadron in the Navy. The other ceremony is the commissioning or establishment ceremony. VR-52 was commissioned at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pa., in June 1972. The unit operated four C-9B with a mission to provide rapid response to contingency operations across the globe. The squadron provided support during the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Enduring Freedom, the 9/11 terror attacks, Operation Enduring Freedom and relief efforts during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The squadron most recently participated in humanitarian relief in support of Operation Tomodachi for areas affected by earthquakes and tsunamis in Northern Japan in March 2011. Both VR-52 and 64 moved to JB MDL on March 19, 2011 as part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure. VR-52 flew more than 125 thousand mishap-free hours during its 40 years. The squadron flew 928 hours and supported missions in the European and Pacific Command theatres in 2012, supporting Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle and New Dawn.