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By Christa Yates, Staff Writer
The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) hosted the change of command ceremony at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, FL, May 15. The event signaled the retirement of CAPT Jerin “Tim” James, commanding officer (CO), NAWCTSD and Naval Support Activity (NSA) Orlando, and welcomed CAPT Rob Betts as commanding officer of NAWCTSD and NSA CO.
The ceremony featured remarks by RADM John Dougherty IV, Mr. Matt Sermon, Deacon Terry Bellon, James, and Betts, as well as the Old Glory flag presentation by Master Chief Petty Officer Mack Ellis, USN (Retired), a reading of ‘The Watch’ by CAPT Jed Magda, and a reading of ‘Creating the Navy Wife’ by Jerin James, eldest son of CAPT James.
“Captain James led 1,300 civilians and military personnel and managed a $1.6 billion base,” said Matt Williams, the master of ceremonies during the presentation of a Legion of Merit to James. “CAPT James’ superior performance highlights the culmination of 30 years of honorable and dedicated service by his dynamic direction, keen judgement, and loyal devotion to duty.”
CAPT Jerin “Tim” James reflects on his career.
The event program featured multiple photos that CAPT James described as “a list of training failures that made working at [Training Support Department] (TSD) so important,” during his remarks. One photo in front of a 705 was taken on the one-year anniversary of a crash that had taken the lives of those on board, including a pilot-school friend of James.
“Usually [crashes like these] happen when [pilots] stop paying attention,” James said. “[When they] don’t have the crew resource management down, when [they] don’t have people backing each other up – the day one fundamentals of aviation that we train.”
James described multiple events in the early days of his career that ended similarly, describing them as ‘amazingly avoidable’ as he told the stories behind each photo. “[These cases are] what personally impact me and tells me the importance of TSD and are why I was so willing to be here. And that’s what all of you need to help me look out for in the future, to help make those important decisions, because what we do here really, really matters.”
CAPT Rob Betts gives his remarks.
After the reading of orders and assumption of command, Betts gave his first remarks as commanding officer of NAWCTSD and NSA Orlando.
“To the men and women of NAWCTSD and NSA Orlando, it is a privilege to continue being a part of your organization,” Betts said. “You and our mission will be my focus, because make no mistake, as [James] said, the nation is going to ask us to keep doing what we’ve been doing, except faster and with fewer resources. We need to stop focusing on the process and start focusing only on the product.”
Sermon spoke to Betts during his remarks as guest speaker, stating “I know you from your reputation, from talking with you yesterday, and from walking around the command, and you’re the right person at the right time to take the helm.”
Videos of the full change of command ceremony, Master Chief Petty Officer Mack Ellis’ Old Glory Flag Presentation, and CAPT James’ full remarks are available for viewing here:
Master Chief Petty Officer Mack Ellis’ Old Glory Flag Presentation
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