Present and former CNAFR Sailors, greater than a dozen present and former flag officers, and family and friends of Jones and Dunham traveled from across the nation to affix CNAFR in celebrating the top of Jones’s 40-year Navy profession and the start of Dunham’s tour as CNAFR.
Chief of Navy Reserve (CNR) Vice Adm. John Mustin spoke because the ceremony’s visitor speaker.
“Jonser, you guided CNAFR masterfully,” mentioned Mustin. “Ashore and afloat you’ve earned a popularity of main from the entrance. Your fingerprints are throughout this superior command, which now displays the perfect of vitamin Jonser. You could have a lot to be happy with.”
Mustin went on to deal with Dunham, who lately accomplished his tour as Deputy, Naval Air Pressure Atlantic.
“Brad, you’ve heard me say earlier than that we have now a lot to be happy with within the Navy Reserve, and but, we nonetheless have a lot to do,” mentioned Mustin. “I do know that you’re the fitting particular person on the proper time in the fitting place for this essential, crucial job.”
Presiding officer, Commander, Naval Air Forces Kenneth Whitesell, echoed Mustin’s remarks on Jones’s management.
“Jonser, you and I bought to fulfill in Hawaii, as you have been the lead investigator for the Pearl Harbor shipyard taking pictures,” mentioned Whitesell. “I noticed as I watched the way you guided that investigation crew there that there was nothing you couldn’t do, and I used to be going to be in good fingers along with your worldwide CNAFR management to be my associate right here in San Diego, and also you demonstrated simply that.”
Whitesell then turned to Dunham and continued.
“Identical to the trial by fireplace with Jonser coming in throughout the Pearl Harbor taking pictures and investigation, Gunny’s doing the identical factor with [Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73)] proper now with the investigation he’s at,” mentioned Whitesell. “If the same begin means we’re going to have the same nice efficiency and comparable end result at Naval Air Forces that we had with Jonser, then I do know that we’re off to an important begin. I’m trying ahead to working with you.”
Jones took the stage to deal with the CNAFR employees in addition to his reduction.
“Brad, you’re the good chief to take CNAFR ahead,” mentioned Jones. “Thanks to your dedication, your crew play, and your being able to assume command as soon as once more in just some minutes. I’m so excited to see what the way forward for this group holds.”
As soon as Jones completed his remarks reflecting on his time as CNAFR, the ceremony proceeded, and he was formally relieved by Dunham.
“Jonser, congratulations on one other wonderful command tour,” mentioned Dunham. “Your private sacrifice and dedication to this group has not gone unnoticed.”
Dunham then addressed the CNAFR employees.
“It’s a privilege and an honor to have a possibility to serve alongside a few of the best leaders, officer and enlisted, that this nation has ever produced,” mentioned Dunham. “As we converse, sovereign our bodies are being challenged with power, growing world tensions and the competitors of nice powers calls for that every of us be ready to combat. Whereas we proceed to pursue advances in expertise and ways, the aggressive benefit to win in fight resides in every of you. I’m assured that this crew is as much as the duty.”
The ceremony then transitioned from the change of command to Jones’s retirement, starting with a flag element representing each rank held by Jones, from seaman recruit to petty officer 2nd class and ensign to rear admiral higher half.
After receiving the flag and presenting it to his spouse, Teresa, Jones gave his closing remarks.
“This week somebody requested me if this profession was value it,” mentioned Jones. “The very best reply I can provide you with is that this: Naval aviation is a career, a calling if you’ll, that calls for the perfect of us in each single method, so that’s how my life has been. I’m an abnormal man, who has had the blessing and success to dwell a rare life via my gold wings, which to at the present time stay the skilled accomplishment for which I’m probably the most proud.”
Navy company lined up alongside the ceremonial facet boys as Jones was piped ashore for the ultimate time.
CNAFR mans, trains and equips the Naval Air Pressure Reserve with the intention to present enduring operational assist and strategic depth to Navy forces that win in fight.
