a group of fighter jets flying over a coral reef — Two jets from Key West’s hometown fighter squadron, VFC-111, fly over Naval Air Station Key West. Jet No. 111 is flown by departing Commander Lee “Buckner” Smallwood. Jet No. 21 is flown by incoming Commander Matt “Sulle” Gibson. Commander Matt “Yort” Pearce flew the camera aircraft so photographer Jose “Fuji” Ramos could get the shot. JOSE RAMOS/ Contributed

Key West

KEY WEST’S LOCAL FIGHTER SQUADRON GETS NEW LEADER

Gibson relieves Smallwood as commander of VFC-111

May 3, 2023

On Saturday, April 29, Commander Matt “Sulle” Gibson relieved Commander Lee “Buckner” Smallwood as commanding officer of Fighter Squadron Composite 111 (VFC-111) at Naval Air Station Key West.

Smallwood is heading to the Pentagon to serve as a requirements officer for the Chief of Navy Reserve.

The ceremony included Capt. Geoff “Frogger” Hughes, commander of the tactical support wing; Capt. Elizabeth “Beth” Regoli, commander of Naval Air Station Key West; current and former Sun Downers squadron members, and local Key West community leaders.

Two jets from Key West’s hometown fighter squadron, VFC-111, fly over Naval Air Station Key West. Jet No. 111 is flown by departing Commander Lee “Buckner” Smallwood. Jet No. 21 is flown by incoming Commander Matt “Sulle” Gibson. Commander Matt “Yort” Pearce flew the camera aircraft so photographer Jose “Fuji” Ramos could get the shot. JOSE RAMOS/ Contributed

Smallwood expressed his thanks to the Sun Downers (VFC-111) for their constant hard work and professionalism, to the local community for embracing and supporting their local fighter squadron (especially the Navy League and Military Affairs Committee), and the friends and family who traveled in for the event.

Most importantly, Smallwood said, he thanks his wife, Jenny, for the hard work she put in on behalf of the spouses’ club for the last three years and without whom no part of his career would be possible.