230920-N-QQ548-1055 MILLINGTON, Tenn. (September 20, 2023) Darryl Blackmon, deputy director for outreach and diversity, poses for a photo with international students from Manpower Personnel Training and Education at Commander, Navy Recruiting Command. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Priestley)

Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA) is the U.S. Navy’s agent for Navy education and training for international military students. Located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, we coordinate and supply training support to international governments and international organizations. As a field activity of Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), we serve as a focal point for all Security Assistance and Security Cooperation education and training program issues, coordination and advice within the U.S. Navy.

NETSAFA is an integral part of Navy International Programs Office (Navy IPO), therefore we also work with and through the Navy IPO chain of command. We are responsible for partner training support first and foremost, and we will work to assure the best training support for our international customers through Navy, other government institution and organizations, and private industry. We must be advocates for our security assistance customers by interceding with those government institutions and private organizations that impact or have the potential to impact our customer training and training support capability.

NETSAFA NEWS

NASC Memorial Service, Award Ceremonies Honor Victims of NAS Pensacola Terrorist Attack

04 December 2020

From Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) held a memorial service and wreath laying and Purple Heart Medal ceremonies at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Dec. 4.

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SLIDESHOW | images | 191207-N-NO101-002 191207-N-NO101-002 WASHINGTON (Dec. 7, 2019) File photo of Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, 23, from Coffee, Alabama. Ens. Watson was killed during an active shooter incident at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Dec. 6. (U.S. Navy Photo)

SLIDESHOW | images | 191207-N-NO101-001 191207-N-NO101-001 WASHINGTON (Dec. 7, 2019) File photo of Airman Mohammad Sameh Haitham, 19, from St. Petersburg, Florida. Airman Haitham was killed during an active shooter incident at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Dec. 6. (U.S. Navy Photo)

SLIDESHOW | images | 191209-N-NO101-003 191209-N-N0101-003 WASHINGTON (Dec. 9, 2019) File photo of Airman Aprentice Cameron Scott Walters, 21, from Richmond Hill, Georgia. Walters was killed during an active shooter incident at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Dec. 6, 2019. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) held a memorial service and wreath laying and Purple Heart Medal ceremonies at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Dec. 4.

The memorial service and wreath laying marked the one-year anniversary of the Dec. 6 NAS Pensacola terrorist attack that left three U.S. Navy Sailors killed and eight other personnel injured.

“It was almost one year ago today during a despicable and cowardly act of terrorism that Ensign Joshua Watson, Petty Officer 3rd Class Mohammed Haitham and Petty Officer 3rd Class Cameron Walters paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation,” said Rear Adm. Pete Garvin, commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), who was the ceremony’s guest speaker. “As we lay this wreath for our three fallen shipmates, we honor their bravery and their sacrifice.”

The ceremony also recognized those who were wounded during the attack – Ensign Kristy Lehmer, Ensign Brianna Thomas, Airman Ryan Blackwell, Airman George Johnson, Jessica Pickett, Capt. Charles Hogue, Deputy Matthew Tinch and Deputy Jonathan Glass.

“Today, we continue to mourn those who lost their lives,” said Garvin. “We also pay tribute to the eight Sailors, Marines, government civilians, Naval Air Station Pensacola security forces and Escambia County Sherriff’s Office deputies who were injured. They all exemplify honor, courage and commitment.”

Garvin commented on the strong relationship between the Pensacola community and the military at NAS Pensacola.

“Here in Pensacola, in the ‘Cradle of Naval Aviation,’ we are a family with an unshakeable foundation, a family that stands the test of time and is unwavering in our defense of the constitution and the country whose course it directs,” said Garvin.

During three separate ceremonies at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Garvin and Capt. Edgardo Moreno, NASC’s commanding officer, presented the Purple Heart Medals posthumously to the families of Watson, Haitham and Walters.

“In these times the war zone is no longer limited to battlefields, it all too often finds its way to bastions where it is least expected,” said Cmdr. Michael Lofgren, NASC’s executive officer, who provided remarks at the ceremonies. “These heroes, selflessly and tirelessly preparing for a battlefield, suddenly and unexpectedly found themselves in a war zone.”

The Purple Heart Medal is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.

For more information on NASC, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/NASC.

For more news from NETC, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil.