Kevan Goff-Parker
Staff Writer
The U.S Navy’s Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 7 “Roughnecks” welcomed their new Commanding Officer Giancarlo Rossi after a final salute to their former Cmdr. James A. Schroeder during a change of command ceremony on June 22 in a huge hangar complete with a giant American flag in the background at the Take Charge and Move Out complex.
After the traditional parade of the colors by the Strategic Communications Wing ONE Honor Guard and a powerful rendition of the National Anthem by Genna Callahan, an Oklahoma high school student, SCW-1 Navy Commander Capt Michael F. Black thanked and praised Schroeder, Rossi and their families for their longtime dedication and leadership in the Navy.
The U.S Navy’s Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 7 “Roughnecks” welcomed their new Commanding Officer Giancarlo Rossi, left, while Strategic Communications Wing ONE Navy Commander CAPT Michael F. Black applauds during a change of command ceremony on June 22 at the TACAMO complex. (U.S. Air Force photos/Kevan Goff-Parker)
“The amazing thing is about naval aviation is that about every three to four years commanders change for VQ-7 squadron,” Black said. “Yet the Roughnecks are dedicated to go the extra mile and continue to serve their country well … It is also a great day for Commander Rossi to take charge.”
The Commodore added that he has great confidence in Rossi and the men and women of VQ-7 squadron. VQ-7 is the aircrew training command of SCW-1. The Roughnecks’ goal is to provide a constant flow of highly trained and qualified aircrew to TACAMO’s operational squadrons, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 3 and Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 4.
Rossi said he will continue to build upon the “strong foundation” that’s been established with the VQ-7 and said he’s eager to “get back to work” with the Roughnecks. As the E-6B model aircraft manager, the Roughnecks are charged with ensuring operational standardization and training for all users of the E-6B aircraft’s weapons system.
Rossi was raised in Virginia and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1995 as a reservist with the 10th JAG Detachment in Washington D.C. He earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree from Duke University, both in Business Administration. He commissioned in 2000 and designated as a naval flight officer in 2001.
Some of Rossi’s accomplishments include serving with the “Shadows” of the VQ-4, as a deployed schedules officer, certification officer and as an administration division officer. He reported to the USS Abraham Lincoln in Everett, Washington in 2008, where he qualified as a tactical action officer and took an individual augmentee assignment to Iraq as an information operations chief. He then served in Afghanistan as a liaison officer to the International Security Assistance Force for a special operations task force. Rossi returned to VQ-3 in 2010, serving as department head for the communications, administrative and operations departments.
Rossi’s staff and ashore assignments included test director for collaboration solutions and aide-de-camp to the director of Defense Information Systems Agency and commander of Joint Task Force – Global Network Operations. During his most recent assignment, he served the U.S. Strategic Command as Airborne Command Post requirements and communications officer and qualified as deputy battle watch commander, ABNCP logistics officer and mission commander. He completed his joint professional military education through the Naval War College and the Joint Forces Staff College. Rossi has more than 2,100 hours in the E-6B.
Outgoing Commander Schroeder also received a medal and thanked the VQ-7, Black, Rossi, friends and family for their steadfast dedication and support.
Schroeder’s new command will be as officer-in-charge of TACAMO Weapons and Tactics Unit at Tinker AFB.