Cmdr. Robert E. Pauley relieved Cmdr. Joseph M. Hart as commanding officer, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 2 in a formal ceremony at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island April 18.

Pauley, a native of Vancouver, Wash. received his commission through Reserve Officer Training Corps following graduation from the University of Idaho and received his wings as a Naval Flight Officer in 1992.

His operational assignments include: Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 2; USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 1; Commander Patrol Reconnaissance Wing 10; and Naval Personnel Command. 

Pauley resides with his wife Janet, and two children, Grace and Wyatt.

Cmdr. Hart will report to NASC-AIR 3.0 as P-3 assistant program manager for logistics. Under his leadership, VQ-2 flew more than 450 missions encompassing more than 5,000 hours in numerous naval operations, and won the 2007 Commander Naval Air Forces Battle “E” award, the 2007 Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety “S” award, and the Secretary of Defense Phoenix award.