The Fighting Marlins of VP-40 held a change of command ceremony last week as Cmdr. Kenneth J. Bowen II relieved Cmdr. Stanton W. Dietrich.

Dietrich, who took command of VP-40 on Feb. 27, 2004, will become Director, Programming Division for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (N80) (Resources, Requirements and Assessment) in Washington, D.C.

Bowen, a native of Piedmont, S.C., graduated from Clemson University in 1986. He received his commission from Aviation Officer Candidate School in April 1987. Earning his wings as a Naval Aviator in June 1988, he was placed on the Commodore’s List of Distinguished Graduates.

Bowen reported to VT-3 as a selectively retained graduate flight instructor where he instructed students in primary and intermediate flight training. During his tour, he received every flight instructor qualification and received the coveted Red Max award for flight instructional excellence and earned his master’s degree from Troy State University.

From 1990 to 1993, Bowen served with the Fighting Tigers of VP-8. He completed a split site deployment to Sigonella, Sicily and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia flying combat missions in Desert Storm. His next deployment was in the Caribbean theater conducting counter-narcotic operations in support of JTF-4.

In 1993, Bowen reported to the Commander, Naval Safety Center in Norfolk, Va., where he served as Flag Lieutenant. His next assignment was on board USS George Washington (CVN 73) as V-2 Division Officer qualifying as Catapult/Arresting Gear Officer and Primary Flight Control Officer. He completed deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf.

He returned to the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance community joining VP-30 where he qualified as a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) instructor pilot. There he served as the VP-30 safety Officer and Commander, Patrol Wings Atlantic Fleet safety officer.

In 1998, he reported to Tridents of VP-26 deploying to the Mediterranean theater. He flew missions in Operations Deliberate Guard and Deliberate Forge. In addition, he served as Officer-in-Charge of the Patron Rota, Spain detachment.

His second deployment with the Tridents was a split site deployment to Keflavik, Iceland and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico. He served as officer-in-charge of Patron Keflavik.

His other assignments with the Tridents included CTG Operations Officer in Caribbean theater and the squadron Operations Officer.

In 2000, Bowen reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Millington, Tenn., where he served as the VP air combat placement officer. In 2002, he reported to VP-30, the MPRA FRS, in Jacksonville, Fla., as executive officer. In 2004, he reported to the Fighting Marlins of VP-40 as executive officer.

Bowen’s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various other campaigns, service and unit awards.