Capt. Ted Elkins, U.S. Navy, relieved Capt. Paul N. Flores as the 44th commanding officer of Naval Air Station Whiting Field in a ceremony onboard the installation on July 12.
The change of command ceremony is a long-standing Navy tradition that is focused on ensuring orderly transition of duties from one officer to another. The ceremony was held in the Atrium in front of base personnel and community members.
Under the leadership of Flores for the past three years, the installation made a significant impact supporting Training Air Wing Five’s aviation training mission. Whiting Field provided air traffic control, emergency fire and rescue services, and runway and grounds maintenance to more than 13,000 acres of property at 12 outlying landing fields in Florida and Alabama. This accomplishment included supporting safe execution of roughly 400,000 flight hours and 3.5 million flight evolutions, as well as classroom and simulator training for just under 3,700 student naval aviators.
Productivity at the twelve outlying airfields under the leadership of Flores’ direct control supported Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force and allied forces operations, roughly 60 percent of the Navy’s primary aviation training, and averaging 17 percent of all Navy flight hours. One hundred percent of all helicopter pilots in the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard received their helicopter advanced training at Whiting.
Under the direction of Flores, the team executed over 300 million dollars in military construction projects, which included a new air traffic control tower, Advanced Helicopter Training System Hangar and simulator facilities. His support and direction played the key role in mission flexibility, executing the Navy’s transition from the TH-57 helicopter to the new TH-73 helicopter platform, enabling a high volume of student production which produced nearly 600 new aviators per annum.
Flores served as a T-6B Texan II instructor pilot and stepped up to meet a critical shortfall in T-45 Goshawk aviation pilot training. His leadership and professional skill to balance the needs of the installation while also assisting in pilot training provided a close tie allowing a close network of team effort between base and aviation operations.
Flores recently announced the installation as the winner by the Department of Defense of the prestigious Commander in Chief’s Award for Installation Excellence after becoming “the best in the Navy” under the Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) pick for small installation category for 2024 Installation Excellence. The award recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the people who work, operate and maintain U.S. military installations.
During his remarks that were full of reminiscence, humor and sea stories, Flores also praised and gave full credit to the entire team and the community for the accomplishments of the base and of Training Air Wing FIVE, “this is an incredibly integrated team and these Sailors are going to excel and all of you-the Sailors, this great staff, all the personnel and community members- it’s been an honor to serve with you and I will miss you all more then you know,” Flores said.
Guest speaker for the change of command ceremony, Capt. Paul Shashaty, commanding officer, Naval Air Station Pensacola gave remarks and shared stories about Flores. A little humor, and praise was given to the former skipper Flores for the effort put forth in his service to NAS Whiting Field and to the Navy. “It is apparent that Paul loves to fly, serve in the Navy and it was obvious to all that he is good at it. Good luck in the future, we know you will excel as you move forward, “Shashaty said.
Incoming commanding officer, Elkins, addressed the base personnel and community members sharing words of appreciation and excitement to join the team, “It is an honor to be here and take part in one of the best kept secrets in the Navy, as a native Floridian and alumnus of both north and south field, I earned my wings here as a helicopter aviator-it’s a very sweet home coming and great to be a part of the NAS Whiting Field/TRAWING FIVE team. This team has an outstanding record of predictable excellence and production of naval aviators, and I am very proud to now be a part of that team,” he said.
Elkins most recent assignment was in Norfolk, Va. serving as the Director of Force Protection, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
At closing of the change of command ceremony the new commanding officer left with, “I look forward to working with the entire team here at NAS Whiting Field so let’s get after it,” Elkins said.
