He thanked Butler for turning over "such a professional and operational team." Naval Academy graduate, takes charge at CSG-4 after commanding CSG-10. I've been blessed to serve my country as a Naval officer and aviator, and I could not have asked for anything more." said Butler, a University of Kentucky graduate. I had more than the average opportunity to be deployed, flying off aircraft carriers, and, when I wasn't deployed, I was training others to do so. "If I had been asked to plan my career from the beginning, it would have not looked much different than this. Shore tours include assignments with the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), as well as commander of Joint Task Force-Guantanamo. During this tour, he participated in three deployments onboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Next, Butler reported to CVW-14 as the deputy commander and later assumed command of the air wing. During this tour, he completed two deployments with CVW-14 onboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). He reported to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 as executive officer, and then later assumed command. His operational tours include his first fleet assignment at VF-51 where he completed two Western Pacific-Indian Ocean deployments with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 15 onboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and a department head tour with VF-2 where he deployed with CVW-2 onboard USS Constellation (CV 64). Carrier Strike Group 4, your efforts provide a warfighting edge that has powered our Navy, and your recent and continuing innovation will help maintain that advantage."Ī trained Naval aviator, Butler earned his wings in July 1985. Training our strike groups, our ARGs and our sailors is the most important thing we do. You've implemented more warfighting changes during the past 18 months than we had in the past 18 years, and I want you to know you did an amazing job. "Rhett, you've taken decisive action, inculcating advanced fighting concepts into the Fleet, and also in making COMPTUEX - the Fleet's culminating battle problem and certification exercise - significantly more realistic and complex," said Davidson. In addition he recognized enhancements made to the COMPTUEX training curriculum under Butler's tenure. Philip Davidson, the featured speaker for the event, thanked Butler and his wife, Lana, for their service to the nation. "The men and women of CSG-4 are committed to training our fleet to operate in potentially contested environments." We will not let that happen," said Butler. Navy's ability to freely operate across all international sea-space.
"There are potential adversaries who aspire to restrict the U.S. The command's signature event is the composite training exercise (COMPTUEX), which evaluates the mission-readiness of CSGs and amphibious ready groups (ARGs) to forward deploy in defense of national interests. "It's been an honor and a privilege to serve as commander of Carrier Strike Group 4," said Butler, who called 2015 "a particularly important year in the evolution of the training we provide to the Atlantic Fleet."ĬSG-4 trains Atlantic Fleet combat forces through a mixture of academic, synthetic and live training evolutions. During his tenure, Butler oversaw more than 11 major certification exercises. Lindsey relieved Butler, who led CSG-4 since July 31, 2014. 11, at Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 4 in the historic building N-23 on Naval Station Norfolk.ĭuring the event, Rear Adm. Butler bid farewell to the Navy during a change of command and retirement ceremony Dec. After more than three decades of service to the nation, Rear Adm.