NAVAL STRIKE AND AIRWARFARECENTER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
NAVAL AIR STATION
FALLON, NV 89496
For Further Info Contact: Release No. 17
MCC (AW) Chris Shimana (775) 426-3804 Oct. 21, 2011
Fax: (775) 426-3866
Email:
Press Release
For Immediate Release:
NSAWC changes command.
Story and Photos by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Christopher Shimana, NSAWC Public Affairs.
FALLON, Nev. (NNS) -- The Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) held a change of command ceremony on board Naval Air Station Fallon Oct 21. Rear Adm. Mark A. Vance relieved Rear Adm. John W. Miller becoming the 10th 2-star admiral to command NSAWC since its inception in 1996.
More than 100 military and civilian dignitaries, NSAWC personnel, family and friends were present to bid farewell to Miller and welcome Vance and his family to NAS Fallon and the Fallon community. Vice Adm. Allen G. Myers., commander, Naval Air Forces served as keynote speaker and presented the Legion of Merit to Miller for his exceptional meritorious service in improving naval aviation training, doctrine and combat effectiveness while serving as NSAWC commander.
“Many people outside of the aviation community don’t know what NSAWC is, or what it does.” said Myers. “What NSAWC does, is they train and prepare air group units to fight“ He went on to say " Millers leadership and the hard work of the NSAWC team was essential in aiding our sister services and NATO partners in quickly attaining air dominance in allowing the people of Libya to be free from tyranny. NSAWC is the naval aviation center of excellence.”
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During his outgoing remarks, Miller expressed the importance of NAS Fallon and its contributionto current combat operations as well as his gratitude to the city of Fallon.
"The high desert of Nevada is a fantastic place to train and the Fallon range is one of the most capable, if not the most capable, in the world“said Miller. “Our aircrew, tactical ground controllers, and equipment operators take full advantage of the training opportunities. We’re fortunate here at NSAWC to have great neighbors who fully support, and often times contribute to our operations. I’m very grateful to Mayor Tedford and the people of Northern Nevada for the great support we receive. I am proud to say that Fallon is a great Navy town. “
Additionally, Miller paid tribute to Vance as NSAWC’s new commander. “Giving up command is never easy, but giving up command to a friend you admire and respect eases the pain” said Miller. “That is the case today, there is no one better suited to lead NSAWC into the future than Rear Adm. Mark “Cyrus” Vance. He is phenomenally talented, extremely dedicated, and wise at the tactical, strategic and operational levels. “
For Vance and his wife Darien, taking over command of NSAWC marks a return to NAS Fallon and the community after more than 17 years away. “Darien and I could not be happier coming back to Fallon and the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center. If somebody had told me I had my choice of orders as a 2 star….and trust me, nobody did….I’d of chosen NSAWC and Fallon. We truly love it here and hope to stay for a very long time.”
NSAWC is the center of excellence for naval aviation training and tactics development in integrated strike warfare, weapons employment, irregular warfare, and maritime and overland air superiority.
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