Rear Adm. James W. Stevenson Jr., commander Carrier Strike Group 12, paid a visit to NAS Whidbey Island Nov. 5 to spend time with VAQ-137.

The Rooks kept Stevenson busy with various activities such as a low-altitude awareness flight through the Cascade Mountains and an evening social hosted at the home of Cmdr. Jeffrey Ruth, VAQ-137 commanding officer.

During his stay, Stevenson had the opportunity to interact with the Rooks’ high quality Sailors and officers and was very impressed by their hospitality and professionalism.

A native of Boston, Stevenson is a 1976 graduate of Tulane University where he attended NROTC. During his 28-year career in the Navy, he has served as electronic material and warfare officer, anti-submarine warfare officer and first lieutenant of USS Richard L. Page (FFG 5), combat systems officer and engineering officer of USS Aubrey Fitch (FFG 34), commanding officer of USS Engage (MSO 433), executive officer and commanding officer of USS Spruance (DD 963), commander, Destroyer Squadron 15, and chief of staff for Commander, Sixth Fleet.

His primary shore assignments included staff combat systems officer for Commander, Destroyer Squadron Eight; Chief Military Secretary to the Director of Logistics (J4) for the Joint Staff; deputy chief of staff for operations for commander, Naval Forces Central Command/Fifth Fleet; executive assistant for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe-Commander, Allied Forces, Southern Europe; and Deputy, Chief of Naval Operations (Plans, Policy and Operations) (N3/N5) as the director of operations and Plans Division (N31).

The highlight of his visit was his low altitude awareness flight with Rook Executive Officer, Cmdr. Kevin Meenaghan, Lt. Steven Shauberger and Lt. Christopher Saufley, Stevenson’s aide and a former VAQ-131 ECMO.

During the flight, flown in formation with another Prowler, Stevenson flew on the VR1350 followed by the VR1355, both highly popular military training routes in this area. As the two Prowlers wove their way across Eastern Washington and through the valleys of the Cascade Mountains, he remarked, “I am amazed at the precision it takes to fly these aircraft. There truly is no room for error.”

After his flight, he joined the Rooks for an awards quarters where he presented the Navy Achievement Medal to Lt. Kalohi Clark, AM2(AW) Benjamin Bigelow and YN2 Jessica Jones.

Stevenson also recognized AZ1(AW) Chad Young as VAQ-137 Senior Sailor of the Quarter, YN3 April Ransick as the VAQ-137 Junior Sailor of the Quarter, AE3 Dustin Reeves as the VAQ-137 Bluejacket of the Quarter and AN Jason Backes as the VAQ-137 Plane Captain of the Quarter.

After sharing some comments he took questions from the floor, the first one from a curious Sailor who asked him how he enjoyed his first flight in a tactical aircraft.

“I did not enjoy the flight one bit,” Stevenson joked. “It took all the strength I could muster just not to throw up! But, I was extremely impressed by the professionalism displayed by everyone from the aircrew in the jet to the ground crew that launched us.”

Stevenson concluded his visit to the Rooks with an evening social at Cmdr. Ruth’s home. Junior officers had the opportunity to speak with him on topics ranging from deployment schedules to career paths.

Lt.j.g. Jasmine Gough received a few tips from the admiral on how to get a good deal on purchasing rugs when stationed in the Middle East.

In all, it was a full for the admiral, who came away with good impression of how the Rooks do business.