NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. – Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) students and staff welcomed their new commanding officer in a change of command ceremony March 3.

Captain Matthew P. Beare, Sr., assumed command of NATTC from Capt. Thomas “TD” Decker.  Decker had been NATTC’s commanding officer since September 2019.  He will move on to retirement.

During his remarks, a very energetic and emotional Decker thanked his mother (in attendance), deceased father, immediate family and sisters for their support during his career.  He also thanked many former “shipmates” who were in attendance to witness the ceremony.  The dozens of NATTC instructors and students in formation who flanked the audience also received praise and support from him.

Capt. Vence Logan, the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) commanding officer, served as the event’s guest speaker.  NATTC is one of 23 learning sites within CNATT.

Beare, an Alexandria, Va., native, said he’s looking forward to leading NATTC into the future, and thanked Decker for his leadership.  Beare comes to NATTC after serving as the officer-in-charge of the Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit.  Beare has had several tours in Pensacola previous to this assignment.

Beare earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Organizational Management from Crichton College.  He also earned a master’s in Business Administration from Liberty University, and a master’s in Public Administration from American Military University.

Beare has accumulated more than 3,300 flight hours in the SH-3H/SH-60F/H-60H.