DATE: Tuesday, November 11, 1997            TAG: 9711110295

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 

                                            LENGTH:   36 lines

CHANGE OF COMMAND FOR THE ``BIG E'' CARRIER GETS NEW SKIPPER IN CEREMONY MONDAY

Command of the world's oldest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier passed between a pair of Navy captains Monday, in a ceremony gilded with seagoing tradition at the Norfolk Naval Station.

The carrier Enterprise's officers and enlisted sailors looked on as their skipper, Capt. Michael D. Malone, handed command of the 1,123-foot ship to Capt. Evan M. Chanik.

Malone, who led the Enterprise through its emergence from a lengthy overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding and through its first major deployment in six years, is headed for Stuttgart, Germany, where he has been named deputy director of plans and policy for the U.S. European Command.

Chanik, an aviator who has flown A-4 Skyhawks, F-5 Tigers, F-14 Tomcats and F/A-18 Hornets, came to the ``Big E'' from a tour as captain of the fast combat support ship Camden.

Among the honors paid to the outgoing Malone: He was promoted to rear admiral, and changed jackets on stage to display his new star. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos

VICKI CRONIS/The Virginian-Pilot photos

Photographed from behind a flag, participants in a ceremony aboard

the carrier Enterprise are silhouetted by light entering the hangar

bay.

Capt. Evan Chanik, left, takes over command of the Enterprise from

Capt. Michael Malone, right, who was promoted to rear admiral. Vice

Adm. John Mazach, center, was the keynote speaker.

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