Cmdr. David S. Brinson is a native of Lexington Park.
WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. (NNS)—The "Grey Knights" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 held a change of command ceremony April 9 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor, Wash.
Cmdr. Matthew T. Frauenzimmer relieved Cmdr. David S. Brinson as the commanding officer of VP-46 during the ceremony.
Brinson, a native of Lexington Park, Maryland, enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an aviation boatswain's mate in 1988. He is a 1994 graduate of West Virginia University and was designated a naval flight officer in 1998.
As the commanding officer of VP-46, Brinson led "The Oldest and the Best" through a U.S. 7th Fleet deployment and a rigorous training cycle, overseeing numerous squadron detachments with various missions and commands. Brinson's next assignment is to serve on the Naval Air Force, Atlantic, staff as the maritime patrol and reconnaissance future warfighting requirements officer in Norfolk.
"Change of command is a very bittersweet occasion," Brinson said. "I lament over having to leave an organization comprised of some of the most talented men and women in our Navy—we have an incredible squadron. However, I relish the thought of what we have accomplished over the past year, where we are at today, and where the squadron is going. I am excited for the future of the 'Grey Knights' and the opportunity for my friend, Cmdr. Matt Frauenzimmer, to take the helm and lead them through their next challenge.
"The squadron will make history once again on its upcoming deployment, during which it will cover a lion's share of the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance requirements in both 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility," Brinson continued. "The 'Grey Knights' are used to taking the lead to safeguard what our leadership values in both the MPRA (Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft) community and around the world. I am so proud of my Sailors; they are, on all accounts, absolute superstars!"
Frauenzimmer, a native of San Clemente, California, is a 1997 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. At sea, his career as a naval flight officer includes assignments with the "World Watchers" of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1; USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as operations administration and assistant operations officer; and as a department head at VQ-1. Ashore, his duties included an overseas assignment in Japan as the reconnaissance operations and current operations officer for Commander, Task Force 57/72; the aide and executive assistant to the commanding general, Joint Task Force Civil Support; and the requirements officer for the chief of naval operations. In May 2014, Frauenzimmer reported to VP-46 as the squadron's executive officer.
"I look forward to leading 'Grey Knights' in the coming year as we deploy to where our nation and Navy have asked us to go," Frauenzimmer said. "Skipper Brinson led with humility, credibility and the utmost integrity, and I look to carry forward those hallmarks. The secret of our success has been and always will be the Sailors and officers; they are dedicated to a relentless search for excellence and are not afraid to lead."
The mission of VP-46 is to support operational tasking in the realms of anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance. The "Grey Knights" have the distinction of being the oldest American Maritime Patrol Squadron in the U.S. Navy.