A Change of Command took place at NAS Jax today during a ceremony at the air station. Captain Michael Conner (pictured right) is taking over as Commanding Officer from Captain Sean Haley (pictured left). The Navy says Captain Haley will continue in the Navy as the Commander, Navy Region Southeast Chief of Staff. Captain Haley has been serving as C.O. at NAS Jax since August 2016.
Captain Conner has been serving as an officer in the Navy since 1993 and he’s excited to get started as C.O.
“I feel very privileged to have the opportunity, the responsibility, the trust given to me by the Navy to be the C.O.” Says Captain Conner.
Captain Conner says his visions for NAS Jax moving forward include supporting the Tenant Commands.
“For example, the P-8 Wing here at NAS Jax deploys all around the world. We need to make sure that we can provide them the resources they need to train for their mission.” Captain Conner says.
The other goals the new C.O has are supporting the sailors physical fitness and their families. Captain Conner has been Executive Officer at NAS Jax since August 2016 and one of the lessons he’s learned during his time as Executive Office is how important the relationship between the air station and Jacksonville is.
“We have great partnerships with local organizations, with city officials, with JSO, with JFRD. So nurturing those relationships, expanding those relationships is vitally important.” Captain Conner says.
The Navy says some of his accomplishments include graduating from the Navy Fighter Weapons School also known as TOPGUN in July of 2001. He also deployed twice to the Western Pacific as part of the Carrier Air Wing 2 on board the USS Abraham Lincoln to provide humanitarian assistance following the tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004. The Navy says Captain Conner has logged more than 3,100 flight hours in FA-18EF Super Hornet, FA-18A-D Hornet, T-45A Goshawk, and T-34C Turbo Mentors.
Captain Conner is the 48th Commanding Officer at NAS Jax.