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FACSFAC Jacksonville Recognizes 29 Years of Service to the Fleet

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060419-19
Release Date: 4/19/2006 9:40:00 PM

By Journalist 1st Class Bill Larned, Naval Air Station Jacksonville Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC) Jacksonville celebrated its 29th anniversary April 6 with a cake-cutting ceremony in Building 118.

Sailors witnessing the event commented that the face of change for FACSFAC has been very evident in recent years.

“Anyone will acknowledge the command has grown significantly since its inception. But I’m amazed at how much this place has evolved just in the one and a half years I’ve served here,” said Chief Storekeeper (SW) James Haffner, the command’s supply officer. Haffner has witnessed several equipment upgrades and knows more are forthcoming.

The command was established in April 1977 and maintains watch over 80,000 square miles of land and sea, spanning from Wilmington, N.C., to Daytona Beach, Fla.

The facility’s vigilant Sailors and civilians provide invaluable services to the fleet, enabling military aircraft to train in local airspace and ships to complete critical pre-deployment work-ups.

Significantly impacting environmental concerns, FACSFAC Jax also takes responsibility for tracking vulnerable northern right whales and their calves, alerting ships at sea.

FACSFAC Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Robert Buehn indicated the command will continue evolving.

“As FACSFAC Jax marks its 29th anniversary, we continue to do all that was envisioned at the start and much more,” remarked Buehn.

“Control of aircraft in the huge warning area offshore is the original mission of FACSFAC Jax, and we still do that today, 24/7. Through the years, we have added a surface section, air intercept control training, a northern right whale reporting network and control of the target complex at Pinecastle [Bombing Range]. As we start our 30th year in operation we are preparing to support a joint harbor operations center along with the Coast Guard to allow coastal surveillance of the ports of Kings Bay, Ga., Mayport and Port Canaveral, [Fla.], which is another new mission,” he added.

Buehn is the facility’s 15th commanding officer. During the 28th anniversary, he received a visit from the first commanding officer, retired Cmdr. George Allen.