Coronado Eagle, Volume 7, Number 39, 2 October 1996 — VS-29 Holds Change Of Command Ceremonies At NASNI [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

VS-29 Holds Change Of Command Ceremonies At NASNI

On Tuesday, October 1, at 1 pm CDR Steven E. Luce relieved CDR Mark S. Boensel as Commanding Officer of Sea Control Squadron Two Nine (VS-29). The guest speaker for the event was RADM. Timothy R. Beard, Commander, Carrier Group One CDR Luce was bom in Cleve-

land, Ohio and grew up in Los Angeles. After graduating from the University of California at Los Angeles, he entered Aviation Officer Candidate School and received his commission in December 1978. He completed flight training in Kingsville, Texas in September 1980. After completion of S-3A Viking replacement pilot training at VS-41 in September 1981, he was assigned to the VS-29 DRAGONFIRES. In August of 1984, he reported as aide to Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, in October 1986 he was assigned as Assistant Navigator aboard USS Ranger (CV-61) and deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. After two years as ships’ company, he returned to VS-41, where he served as Safety Officer and pilot instructor until September 1990, when he transferred to the SCREWBIRDS ofVS-33.

In June of 1992 he returned to VS-41 as Training Director where he coordinated single-site Fleet Readiness Squadron consolidation at VS-41. He reported as VS-29’s Executive Officer in April of 1994. Commander Luce’s decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards), Navy “E” ribbon (two awards), and numerous other unit and personal awards.

Cdr. Steven E. Luce.