Bay Defense

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE — (RANDAL YAKEY / News Herald Writer) The 325th Fighter Wing Command officially was handed over to Brig. Gen. John K. McMullen on September 9, 2011.  McMullen is no stranger to Tyndall. He received his training here in 1989 and was an instructor at the base in 1993. “I have been stationed at Tyndall. This is my third time,” McMullen said. “I never thought as a young guy in 1989 as I came through as a student that I would be back as an instructor. To come back almost 13 years later as the wing commander is an honor.” McMullen takes over for Brig. Gen. James S. Browne. During an interview after the ceremony, McMullen mentioned the F-22 Raptor situation. “I want to get that mission up and running,” McMullen said. Air Force officials grounded the twin-engine fighter May 3 after more than a dozen incidents when F-22 pilots suffered hypoxia-like symptoms. The jet has not been used since. The 325th Fighter Wing’s primary mission is to provide air training for F-22 Raptor pilots, as well as maintenance personnel and air battle managers. “The other thing is we are going to get another squadron down here at Tyndall Air Force Base in October of ’12,” McMullen said. “That will be a challenge. It will be an operational squadron.” Browne has been the wing commander since December 2009.  “To leave command is hard to do, especially where we are here at Tyndall — great location, great mission, great people,” Browne said. “In some ways it is sad, but in the Air Force you move a lot.” Browne will move on to Barksdale Air Force Base near Shreveport, La., where he will be the Global Strike Command director of operations. “I have been associated with the fighter community most of my career,” Browne added. “I will now be associated with all things nuclear weapons in the United States Air Force.” Browne said some of his major accomplishments were inspections that garnered “excellent” reviews and an air show that brought over 100,000 spectators. During Browne’s command, the wing received the Volunteer Florida Award from Gov. Charlie Crist for the 35,000 volunteer hours airmen contributed to the community. The general said he and his wife would return to the area. They live in Mexico Beach. “Once you get the sand in your toes, you want to come back,” Browne said.  

NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER - Panama CIty Division Welcomes New Commander: (Marc McAfee, WMBB): The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division welcomed a new commander Friday. For the ceremony, they used one of the buildings in which they're usually busy designing the weapons systems of the future. Captain Thomas Brovarone was relieved of command by Captain Everett Pratt. Brovarone said he was struggling to hold back his emotions the whole ceremony. "We've taken our vows together, we've taken our lumps together, you get very emotional because you work very closely with these folks," Brovarone said.  For the past two weeks, Brovarone took Pratt on a tour of most of the Warfare Center's buildings. Pratt said it would take awhile to get a grasp of all the different projects underway. He'll now be responsible for more than 1300 staffers, 850 of whom are scientists and engineers. He'll also be managing a budget of more than $500 million. In a tough economic situation like the current one, Pratt said he would concentrate on building stellar projects that deserved the dollars they demand. "To quote a Kevin Costner movie: ‘If we built it, they will come," Pratt said.

AFNORTH WELCOME NEW COMMANDER: by Mark MCAfee, WMBB. To say it was a big day for Lt. Gen Stanley Clarke is an understatement. Wednesday, he celebrated his 26^th wedding anniversary, his promotion to a three star general, and his assumption of command over the 1^st Air Force at Tyndall AirForce Base.  As a part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, 1^st Air Force personnel help monitor and protect the skies of North America. They also take action and coordinate airborne response efforts to natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Maj. Gen. Garry Dean, the outgoing commander of the 1^st Air Force, said his former command will benefit from its three star leadership. "Having a three star gives us more access into the Pentagon, as we face the budget crisis," Dean said. A hangar full of onlookers welcomed Clarke to the base. He did not speak with reporters, but he told the crowd he'd first visited Panama City Beach as a high school senior. "I can assure you that at that time I had no idea or vision that I would be standing here today receiving my third star," Clarke said.Clarke has flown more than 4000 flight hours, 100 of them in combat. He's coming from the Office of Defense Cooperation in Turkey. The Director of the Air National Guard was in the audience for the change of command ceremony. Lt. Gen. Bud Wyatt vouched for both the incoming and outgoing commanders. He said the three star designation sends an important message. "The recognition that 1st Air Force's importance in the defense of this country deserves a three star general is significant not just to Northcom, or 1st Air Force, or Air National Guard but to this entire country."  VIDEO Courtest WMBB: Tyndall Welcomes New Commander

Tyndall AFB Air Operations Center Consolidation Update:  On August 23^rd 2011 the Air Force announced the results of a strategic basing study for consolidation of the 601^st Air Operations Center at Tyndall and the 612^th AOC at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. The Air Force confirmed its intent to keep Tyndall AFB’s 601^st Air Operations Center intact.  Based on results of the Strategic Basing Process study, the Air Force is ending its efforts to explore the consolidation of two CONUS Air Operations Centers, which means hundreds of jobs at the Tyndall AFB Air Operations Center will remain in Bay County.  The Air Force cites other efficiency and cost saving efforts as the rationale for ceasing the consolidation effort.   The plan, announced earlier this year, would have consolidated the work of the AOCs at either Tyndall AFB or Davis-Monthan AFB, which could have resulted in the loss of jobs at either location.  We are very fortunate to have such an important military mission in our community and the decision to keep it here is a testament to the outstanding work of the men and woman of the 601^st AOC.  The Bay Defense Alliance is grateful for the strong support of our congressional delegation, especially Congressman Steve Southerland and Senator Bill Nelson; They asked tough questions while the strategic basing study was being considered.   The Air Force states: “We began a more comprehensive review of our AOC enterprise, in hopes of identifying greater efficiencies. During the detailed work and analysis in support of both efforts, an enterprise-wide option emerged that is both more efficient and effective for operational Command and Control. This new option makes the consolidation of the 601st and 612th AOCs unnecessary, still achieves the savings target identified by the Secretary of Defense and sets the stage for future efficiency initiatives.  The USAF is still developing this enterprise-wide solution, but we are confident enough in its potential that we are ceasing the consolidation of the CONUS AOCs. The AOC consolidation in Europe will continue as planned. We intend to present you our enterprise-wide plan in the FY 2013 President's Budget.”  The 601st at Tyndall – referred to as America’s AOC – is quite an impressive facility and is operated with 535 personnel of whom 341 are members of the Florida Air National Guard. The men women of the 601^st work 24/7 every day of the year to support both air and space missions for NORAD, and Northern Command, and they also support homeland security and civil support missions such as hurricane Katrina recovery, earthquake recovery operations in Haiti and the Gulf oil spill air operations.

The Florida Council on Military Base and Mission Support was formed in 2009 by legislation sponsored by Senator Don Gaetz.  However, the 2009 legislation did not provide funding or staffing for the new council.  Senator Gaetz worked to resolve the issue by sponsoring legislation to re-create the organization under a new name, the Florida Defense Support Task Force, and with appropriate funding.  The legislation was adopted and approved by the Florida legislature along with a $5 million budget.  The funds come from non-recurring general revenue and could also be leveraged with federal funds to help mitigate base encroachment issues.  The bill was signed into law by Governor Scott, and it appears that the new task force could be fully formed by the end August 2011.  Although appointments to the task force will be made by the Senate president, Speaker of the House and Governor, a number of current council members will be considered for appointment to the new task force, including Bay Defense Alliance members, MGen. Larry Arnold, (USAF Ret.) and Tom Neubauer.  The first meeting of the group is anticipated to be during late September 2011 or October.   More Info Link:

New Military Council Formed

 August 11, 2011: Florida Base Commander’s Meeting:  Governor Scott and Lt. Governor Carroll held a third meeting with Florida’s installation commanders at Key West Naval Air Station.  These forums provide state leadership with first-hand information on the concerns and key activities of Florida’s base commanders, active duty military, dependents, retirees and defense contractors.  With national controversy brewing over a possible budget-driven military drawdown, leadership from Tyndall AFB and Naval Support Activity Panama City offered positive reports on the status Bay County installations.

Congressional Naval Mine Warfare Caucus Reception
The Caucus Reception held at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington DC on June 22, 2010 was well attended by Navy and Marine stakeholders, leadership from the NSWC PCD, several members of the Bay Defense Alliance, Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Allen Boyd and the Chief of Naval Operations, ADM Gary Roughead. This was the 10th annual meeting since the conference was formed in 1998 as part of the community strategy to ensure support by congressional and military leadership for the important work being accomplished by the Navy Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division. The scientists, engineers and military professionals at NSWC PCD lead the Navy's effort to develop advanced technologies in mine and littoral warfare and counter the growing asymmetric threat posed by sea mines.

Gulf Oil Drilling: This continues to be a critical issue for the Bay Defense Alliance and our counterparts across the state where key installations depend on unencumbered access to the Gulf Of Mexico Military Range Complex.  Oil companies have engaged a powerful lobby, spending more than $400,000 through November in an effort to add leases off Florida coastal waters to their balance sheets.  These organizations are suggesting that there could be up to $2.5 billion in economic impact to the state, and so far, the most significant conflict in this effort is the potential damage that could be done to Florida’s $60 billion dollar defense industry.  The BDA is working closely with Representatives Jimmy Patronis and Marti Coley, Senator Gaetz and others who are interested in considering this important aspect of the issue.  It is very important for the Bay Defense to represent the interests of Tyndall and Navy Support Activity Panama City as this initiative unfolds.  BDA board member Leon Walters has taken the lead on this issue, testifying October 21st before a house committee in Tallahassee with a briefing prepared by BDA member Chris Chace. Leon also discussed the issue in two radio interviews and is currently organizing a meeting with our elected representatives. There are significant missions at Tyndall and NSA-PC which could be negatively impacted by encroachment in the range.  Chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and defense partners in northwest Florida continue to educate their members and develop resolutions.  The most recent presentation can be viewed in PDF format.

 Navy JLUS: In cooperation with Bay County, the City of Panama City and the City of Panama City Beach, Naval Support Activity Panama City has recently completed the a joint land use study which was funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, OEA.  The implementation plan includes presentation and adoption by Bay County, Panama City and Panama City Beach which took place on 17 November at the County government complex. The product is a living document owned by Bay County which will provide a policy framework to support adoption and implementation of compatible development measures designed to prevent urban encroachment; safeguard the military mission; and protect the public health, safety and welfare.

F-15 drawdown status and Future Training: The Combat Air Force restructure plan will retire (112) F-15s, (134) F-16s and (3) A-10 aircraft next year, and 48 of the F-15s are based at Tyndall AFB. While Congressman Allen Boyd was able to insert language in the House defense authorization and appropriations bills that would force a delay in the restructure plan pending further study, there is no language in the Senate authorization bill to support the delay. The BDA is working closely with Senator Nelson and his staff to encourage the Senator’s support for any proposed amendments that might echo the House authorization language. The conference of these bills is ongoing through September 30 and we will continue to seek Senate support for the delay. Any slowdown in the departure of Tyndall’s F-15s will help close the time gap between the loss of F-15s and arrival of the next generation aircraft. F-15 air superiority pilot training will, however, continue to support the remaining F-15Cs in the Air Force, and current Air Force plans are to continue the training at Kingsley Field, and Air National Guard unit located at the Klamath Falls airport in Oregon. Congressman Boyd has also included language that would require the Air Force to provide a study which supports the ongoing training at Kingsley versus Tyndall AFB. This authorization language must also be incorporated into the Senate authorization bill to become law. It is unlikely that the Air Force will direct aircraft movements from Tyndall until the Congressional language is final and the FY2010 President’s Budget is signed, perhaps in the spring of 2010.  

F-35 Short List:  On 28 October BDA was notified that the Air Force set a time on 29 October 09 to brief congressional staffers on the selection results.  BDA subsequently received notification from Allen Boyd’s and Senator Nelson’s offices during the briefing that Tyndall was not named as either an operational or training base for the F-35.  The operational bases named were Eglin AFB (as originally designed per the BRAC language and EIS), Luke AFB in Arizona and Holloman AFB in New Mexico.  This confirmed what we were hearing about the AF interest in bedding down the aircraft in the western ranges.   Tyndall was named in the top 1/3 of all installations considered and scored very high against both FTU and operational criteria.

Defense Consulting Group: On 16 October 2009, the Bay Defense Alliance Tyndall Team met with General Bill Looney (ret) and MGen. Andy Love (ret) at the Panama City offices of Applied Research Associates to discuss BDA strategies for securing a future flying mission at Tyndall. The BDA presented a summary of the current status of the flying mission at Tyndall and our efforts to delay the CAF restructure while we pursue a follow-on mission for the F-15.  General Looney’s recommendation was to pursue operational F-22 aircraft and grow the F-22 presence at Tyndall, noting that Air Force leadership supports the desert ranges for the F-35, as its primary role is air-to-ground.  This coupled with the fact that Eglin already has the F-35 schoolhouse and limited ground range capacity further reduced the chances of being selected.  

Navy JLUS: In cooperation with Bay County, the City of Panama City and the City of Panama City Beach, Naval Support Activity Panama City has recently completed the a joint land use study which was funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, OEA.  The final draft was reviewed recently by the Policy Committee and is to be completed September 30, 2009. The implementation plan includes presentation to a joint commission comprised of Bay County, Panama City and Panama City Beach Commissioners. The product is a living document owned by Bay County which will provide a policy framework to support adoption and implementation of compatible development measures designed to prevent urban encroachment; safeguard the military mission; and protect the public health, safety and welfare.

Community Capacity Analysis: One of the important considerations by the Department of Defense in each legislated BRAC process is the surge capacity of an installation in the event of contingency as well as the ability of the installation and surrounding community to accommodate growth. Recognizing the importance of having this information readily available, Larry Dantzler requested the assistance of Florida State University Panama City Campus to update a community capacity analysis in 1994 and 2004. Recently BDA member Leon Walters initiated a similar request for an updated document.  The 2009 draft was completed by Dr. Jeanne Dexter’s Organizational Behavior class and was presented to the BDA Board by Mr. Walters. Special thanks to Dr. Dexter, FSU-PC and the following participating students, Tomila Benefield, Jeff Boutwell, Jaclyn Brodie, Richard Gravatt, Jade Hatcher, Zack Hoskins, Donald Johns, Alicia Lynch, John Madden, Sam Salih, Andrew Smith, Brianne Starkey, Mandy Williamson. The document can be viewed on the BDA website.

September 2009 Defense Grants: Thanks to the efforts of BDA support team, Deloitte, and the oversight of Larry Dantzler, the BDA has secured a 2009 Military Base Protection Grant in the amount of $42,500. The funds will be used to help with the cost of engaging specialized defense consultants. The BDA has also secured a Defense Reinvestment Grant in the amount of $130,316 to be utilized in accordance with the BDA plan of work. This is the largest Defense Reinvestment Grant award in the state this year and is provided through the Office of Tourism Trade and Economic Development, as our community had the highest score in terms of priority. The BDA also applied for a Defense Infrastructure Grant request to help with the efforts to bring LambdaRail Internet access to Bay County – only three counties prevailed in this grant category as 2010 funds are very limited. Bay County provided a $20,000 grant to help match the Florida Military Base Protection Grant and $10,000 toward operations.

June 22 Air Force Leadership Visits Tyndall AFB:  Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz spent the day at  Tyndall AFB on June 22, 2009.  After spending the morning addressing the troops and touring the base with Congressman Boyd, the Secretary and Chief attended a lunch with military leadership, Congressman Boyd, and Bay Defense Alliance Members.  The BDA briefed the visitors on the key attributes of Tyndall that make the installation ideal for F-35 pilot training. Following the brief, General Roberson hosted a small group of community leaders and elected officials who presented resolutions or letters of support from EVERY city Mayor and Commissioner executed by ALL  county Commissioners. The Secretary and Chief then answered questions from the group about the future of Tyndall .

June 9, 2009 Navy Congressional Mine Warfare Caucus: Bay Defense Alliance members attended the Congressional Navy Mine warfare Caucus Reception in Washington DC.  "The conference was one of the best ever," said Leon Walters, former SES at NSWC-PCD, "it was good to hear from the Chief of Naval Operations and his commitment to mine warfare and he important missions in Panama City."   The CNO, Congressman Boyd and other leaders addressed the conference, thanking the men and women of the Navy and all the support contractor for their outstanding contribution to national defense.  Attending the conference were Leon Walters, Glen McDonald, Tom Neubauer, Larry Dantzler, Lisa Walters and Sean Corscadden.

City and County Letters of Support for F-35 Mission: We should be very proud of the fast response by our city and Bay County commissions to a BDA request for resolutions in support of basing F-35 aircraft at Tyndall AFB.  These letters are addressed to Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and copied to Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz.   The BDA had already received letters of support from Bay County Board of Commissioners, City of Panama City, City of Mexico Beach, City of Lynn Haven, the City of Parker and is pursuing letters from the from the Cities of Springfield and Panama City Beach to complete the collection which now demonstrates unified support from every Mayor and Commissioner.

May 27-28 Florida Defense Alliance Meeting in Jacksonville: Member of the BDA are planning to attend the semi-annual Florida Defense Alliance meetings at Jacksonville Naval Air Station on 28 and 29 May 2009.   The meeting enable the organizations that support Florida’s defense communities to share important information and work together to advance legislation for the benefit of Florida’s military members.  Additional information about the meeting is available at www.floridadefense.org.

Mine Warfare Symposium: Another successful mine warfare conference was held at the Bay Point Marriott on May 18-19.  As always, board members Pete Mallory, L-C Communications is taking the lead to ensure that interested BDA members will have access to some or all of the events.  Military Affairs Chairman Andy Phillips will host an event for the conference attendees on Tuesday May 19^th at the Marriott.  More information about the conference can be found at

Northwest Florida Defense Coalition May 13-14 D.C. Visit:  Members of the BDA attended the annual Northwest Florida Defense Coalition Fly-in on 13-14 May.  Congressional briefings to the group included presentations by Congressman Allen Boyd, Congressman Jeff Miller, Congressman Ron Klein (FL 22^nd Dist);  Senator Mel Martinez, Senator Bill Nelson, Congressman Jo Bonner (dist 1 Alabama) and Congressman John Mica (FL 7^th Dist).  All presentations included commentary on key weapons systems, DOD budget and other issues of interest to NW Florida.  Pentagon speakers included Col Mark Gorton Deputy Commander, 7^th Special Forced Group US Army Special Operations Command relative to the pending relocation to Eglin AFB;  Capt Michael Good, program manager for the Littoral Combat Ship Mission Modules (PMA 420) provided an excellent presentation on the status of LCS 1-3.  It has been rumored that LCS-1 may visit the Panama City area in fall 2009 unless the craft is directed to immediately the join the fleet.  Mr. Dan Kunex, Director of Air System Integration for the F-35 JSF program over a detailed overview of the fairly complex beddown timetable.  Col Schwarts, from the office of the Deputy Asst Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, presented a brief on Air Force priorities, MILCON and stimulus funding, status of the JSF supplemental EIS, housing privatization status, EUL projects and the Lynn Haven fuel depot MILCON exchange. Vice Admiral Michael Vitale, the new Commander of Navy Installations Command offered a global perspective on issues affecting Navy installations.

May 7, 2008 - Defense Budget: The defense budget proposal was released by the pentagon on May 7, 2009 and  included the anticipated cuts that will impact Tyndall AFB.  If passed by Congress, the budget will end the F-22 program after production of 187 aircraft; retires 250 F-15, F-16 and A-10 aircraft which would remove all F-15s from the ramp at Tyndall during FY 2010.  While there is still some potential that congress will not accept all aspects of the budget, AF and congressional consensus seems to concede a high probability that we will see these cuts occur despite strong opposition from a significant number of congressional representatives. 

April 15, 2009 - Congressman Boyd Meeting with SECAF and AF Chief of Staff: Congressman Boyd and his staff have been pro-active in dealing with the potential loss of Tyndall’s F-15 training mission and pursuit of additional mission.  On April 14-15 2009, BDA members visited Congressman Boyd to discuss core issues at TAFB prior to the congressman’s meeting with Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz.  The team also visited the offices of Senator Nelson, Senator Martinez, Congressman Miller and Congressman Young to confirm ongoing support for the F-15 issue.

 TAFB Utilities Issue: Tyndall AFB and Bay County utilities continue to work through an ongoing water rate dispute that was publicly noted on April by the Bay County Commission.  A subsequent meeting on 24 April 2008 by Tyndall engineers and contracting officers and the county manager and staff was held to discuss the ongoing water contract controversy.  The county alleges that TAFB has failed to pay the increased cost of water which began to accrue to a total of approximately $250K since 2007.  Tyndall’s position is that the base has been paying the rate and amounts TAFB is contractually obligated to pay, as there has been no new contract executed between the parties. Bay County contends that contract language provides for appropriate rate increases.  Based on the discussion it would appear that Tyndall and the county will come to a mutually acceptable agreement soon.

HB 1219 – Florida House of Representative Oil Drilling Legislation: Within hours after learning about proposed HB 1219, the Chamber of Commerce, EDA, our community was engaged in the process in order to assure protection of the Gulf Range military mission areas.  Special thanks to Lisa Walters who worked tirelessly with representatives Marti Coley and Jimmy Patronis to submit suitable language, and to Alisa Kinsaul, chair of the Bay County Chamber State Government Committee / Director of Communications for ARA, and Carol Roberts for identifying the problem and staying with the effort until the bill was passed.  Although Lisa’s preferred language did not survive all iterations of the effort, the bill was improved with some protective language.  Fortunately, sister legislation never materialized in the Senate in this session.

Tyndall F15 issue / Governor Crist Support: As you are aware, the BDA has continued to pursue a favorable outcome to the proposed move of F15s from Tyndall in FY 2010.  While the Air Force initiative to retire many older F-15s continues to move forward, Tyndall is one of the bases that will be most impacted by the loss of two full squadrons comprising the F-15 school house.  In addition to building a white paper that provides evidence of Tyndall’s ability to accomplish the F-15 air superiority training mission better than any other source, efforts are being made to discuss timetable options with the National Guard Bureau and Air National Guard, hopefully delaying the action until additional mission can be placed on the ramp at Tyndall.  As part of this effort, key members of the Florida delegation have been engaged on our behalf, as well as Governor Crist.  On 17 March 2009, Jimmy Patronis arranged a meeting with the governor’s office.  The governor’s support included a personal letter to key Florida legislators requesting help in identifying authorizations or appropriations that could facilitate the move.  A copy of the governor’s letter can be found at www.panamacityera.com/bda/govletter.pdf . 

BDA Board Meeting Focuses on Priorities relative to TAFB F-15s: Based on the uncertain future of Tyndall’s flying missions, the BDA executive committee and subject matter experts met on April 20, 2009 to discuss various scenarios, priorities and best course of action.  Per discussions on the April 15, 2009 full board meeting, the organizations first priority is to focus BDA resources on the long-term health of missions at Bay County installations.  Of primary concern is the potential beddown of the 54 F-35 aircraft not included in the controversial record of decision at Eglin.  The decision to base the additional aircraft at Eglin or another installation will be determined through implementation of a supplemental EIS which may be completed in summer 2009.  The second highest priority would be to devote resources on the pursuit of additional mission which installations leadership deems compatible with current mission.  Our third priority would be to affect the timing of the F-15 drawdown.  

Littoral Warfare Systems Facility Gound breaking: Bay Defense Alliance members joined Navy officials and other members of the community for a groundbreaking ceremony for the Littoral Warfare Systems Facility on December 11th. The new facility was specially designed for the research, development, testing, evaluation, integration, acquisition support, and certification of littoral warfare systems.

The new facility features a drive through high bay with a 15 ton bridge crane, specialized rooms, offices for 100 personnel, a roof top antenna mounting platform, three computer labs with raised floors, three system integration labs, storage, and a large conference room.

The Littoral Warfare Systems Facility will enable teams from the NSWC PCD to collaborate in one building, increasing the integration of functions and personnel, as well as, consolidating the mission package facilities. The LWSF is also expected to provide a fully integrated computing environment and drive –thru module handling capability.

The facility will be located at the corner of Solomons Drive and Sandpiper Road at Naval Support Activity Panama City. The contractor selected to oversee the project is Harry Pepper Associates of Jacksonville, Florida. The facility is expected to be complete in November 2009

Navy Region Southeast Change of Command

Rear Admiral Townsend G. “Tim” Alexander relieved Rear Admiral Michael C. Vitale, who has held the position as Commander of Navy Region Southeast since October, 2007.

The Southeast Region is the largest of the Navy’s regions, which covers approximately 20 percent of the Navy’s holdings. Navy Region Southeast leads shore installation management support and execution for 21 Naval  installations throughout the Southeast and the Caribbean, including Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

RADM Vitale was commended for his response to  Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna, and Ike. Under RADM Vitale’s leadership, CNRSE became one of the Navy’s leaders in hurricane preparedness and support.

RADM Vitale has been promoted to Vice Admiral and will relocate to Washington, DC, to assume his next assignment as Commander, Navy Installations Command. In his new position, RADM Vitale will be responsible for 13 regional commands including the Southeast and 79 installations worldwide.

“In my new job,” RADM Vitale said, “all regions will be treated equally, but while I can, let me say that no one beats Navy Region Southeast.”

RADM Alexander received his commission in March 1981, upon completing Aviation Officer Candidate School. He was previously assigned as Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, serving in both positions since August 2006.

Bay Defense Alliance board members, Tom Neubauer, L.N. Dantzler, and Leon Walters traveled to NAS Jacksonville to attend the Change of Command ceremony.