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VP-69 Changes Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080910-23
Release Date: 9/10/2008 4:09:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tucker M. Yates, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Det. Northwest

OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- Patrol Squadron (VP) 69, the "Totems," held a change of command ceremony in Hangar 7 on Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island Sept. 6.

Cmdr. James Nelson assumed the role of VP-69 commanding officer from Cmdr. Scott Jones.

The event was presided over by Rear Adm. Jeffrey Lemmons, Reserve Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources, and Capt. Ken Seliga, commodore of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10

"I want to commend you on your ability to grasp change and embrace it as a means to shape the future. No one likes change, it's hard to do, but you have done exceedingly well. Jones, my hat's off to you, you saw the vision, you grabbed it, you ran with it, and you did it really well," said Lemmons. "It's very rare in one's life that you run into the caliber of individual, the quality person, the well-rounded leader that you see before you."

Jones is from Sacramento, Calif. He served six years as an enlisted Sailor before receiving his degree from National University in 1987. He received his commission upon completion of Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1988 and departed active duty for the Reserves in 1995.

"The Navy Reserves are only as strong or weak as you in uniform in this audience," said Jones. "My challenge to you is to feel the legacy of the organization that you are a part of, it is greater than any one of us alone, live this life as a citizen-Sailor with everything you have."

"It has been my honor and privilege to serve as your 28th commanding officer," added Jones. "I'll never forget a one of you, as you are all permanently etched in my heart, and for that, I am the most fortunate Sailor in this hangar."

Seliga spoke about his first impressions of Jones, and the success that followed for VP-69 under Jones' tutelage.

"Almost immediately, I noted Skipper Jones to be an action-oriented, people-first leader who has the innate ability to set clear expectations while keeping mission-focus at the forefront of his squadron's priorities," said Seliga.

"From the moment he assumed command, Cmdr. Jones set clear and achievable goals that included: take care of our people, strive for excellence, and develop the reserve force. What these goals have translated into is superb mission success for the VP-69 Totem team that is easily measurable in several quantifiable areas."

Under Jones' leadership, every VP-69 aircrewman passed the testing phase of the Fleet Naval Aviation Training and Operating Procedures Standardization evaluation; his squadron received first place in the Annual Wing 10 Anti-submarine Warfare Competition for 2008; and performed proficiently in the 2008 annual Rim of the Pacific exercise.

Nelson is from Shell, Wyo., and is a graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy.

"I am honored to serve in this capacity in a military system that has never been about conquest and exploitation, but has been characterized by defending liberty and promoting freedom to people who would have never known these privileges otherwise," said Nelson.

"This is a service that recognizes the worth in all cultures and seeks to defend the dignity of each and every individual. I am proud and honored to continue to serve a country whose brave volunteers put these principles above personal gain."

For more news from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, visit www.navy.mil/local/naswhidbey/.