SIGONELLA, Sicily –
Capt. Frank C. Sanchez relieved Capt. Brian J. Schneider as commodore of Commander, Task Force 67 during a change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Aug. 7.
Schneider assumed command of CTF-67 in August 2024. During his tenure, he was responsible for providing naval maritime air forces in support of two geographic combatant commanders. He directed more than 2,850 operational sorties and nearly 19,600 flight hours supporting anti-submarine warfare, maritime domain awareness, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and search and rescue missions across the U.S. European and Africa Command areas of responsibility.
Under Schneider’s leadership, CTF-67 provided continuous flight following and intelligence support for 150 critical logistics flights during Operations Epic Fury and Bright Comet, enabling more than 120 U.S. Central Command sorties.
“Everything this command accomplished over the past two years was made possible by an incredible team of Sailors, civilians, families, our Italian hosts and our allies and partners,” said Schneider. “Together, we strengthened our readiness, deepened our partnerships, and demonstrated what coalition maritime aviation can accomplish. It has been the privilege of my career to serve alongside this team, and I know Captain Sanchez will continue building on that foundation.”
As commander of Fleet Air Sigonella, Schneider also coordinated closely with CTF 69 and allied maritime patrol forces from Canada, France, Norway and the United Kingdom. Together, they conducted anti-submarine warfare operations across the North Atlantic Ocean, Norwegian Sea and Mediterranean Sea, supporting theater commanders in tracking multiple Russian Federation Navy submarines.
Schneider’s next assignment will be to Naval Education and Training Command in Pensacola, Florida.
“Captain Schneider has built and sustained an exceptional team whose readiness and professionalism are evident throughout the theater,” said Sanchez. “It is an honor to join the men and women of Task Force 67 and assume responsibility for this vital mission. I look forward to serving alongside our Sailors, civilians, Italian hosts, allies and partners as we continue providing the maritime awareness and combat capability our commanders require.”
Sanchez, a native of Oceanside, New York, graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy with a Bachelor of Science in marine engineering systems and a minor in environmental engineering.
A career naval aviator, Sanchez has flown the S-3B Viking, P-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon. His operational experience includes combat deployments aboard Enterprise-class aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, counterdrug detachments supporting U.S. Southern Command and additional deployments to Iraq, Kadena Air Base, Japan, and NAS Sigonella.
His staff assignments include service as aide-de-camp to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan; weapons and tactics instructor at the maritime patrol and reconnaissance fleet replacement squadron; action officer on the Joint Staff; and assignments officer at Navy Personnel Command.
Sanchez takes command of CTF-67 after serving as commanding officer of VP-5, leading approximately 300 personnel through a rapid-response deployment in support of U.S. European Command contingencies and a subsequent deployment to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command theater.
CTF-67 exercises command and tactical control of deployed maritime patrol and reconnaissance forces throughout the U.S. European and Africa Command areas of responsibility. The task force provides responsive, interoperable and expeditionary combat-ready aviation forces to conduct anti-submarine warfare, enhance maritime domain awareness, deliver credible and actionable intelligence, and support cooperative maritime security.
U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, interagency and partner forces, to advance U.S. national interests and promote security and stability in Europe and Africa.
For more information from U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.c6f.navy.mil.
For more information from Naval Air Station Sigonella, visit cnreurafcent.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NAS-Sigonella or www.facebook.com/nassigonella.