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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

CNATT Unit Jacksonville holds change of command

21 December 2022

From Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Adam T. Zahra

NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Jacksonville held a change of command ceremony Dec. 15.
 NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --  The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Jacksonville held a change of command ceremony Dec. 15.
 
Cmdr. Freddie Koonce was relieved by Cmdr. Michelle Higingbotham as CNATTU Jacksonville’s commanding officer. Capt. Vence Logan, CNATT commanding officer, was the presiding officer.
 
Cmdr. Koonce a native of Kinston, North Carolina, began his naval career in August 1990.  In 2001 he was commissioned as an ensign through the Limited Duty Officer program.  Cmdr. Koonce assumed the duties as the Commanding Officer of Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Jacksonville in February of 2021.
 
“It has been an absolute honor working alongside all the outstanding professionals at CNATTU JAX,” Koonce said during the ceremony.”  The entire team has made significant strides in curriculum development and equipment configurations during the past three years.  I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.  To Cmdr. Higingbotham an
d family; I hope you enjoy your command tour.  Treasure the time, it will go by quickly.  Best of luck to you and your family.”
 
Higingbotham is a native of Chester Gap, Virginia.  She was commissioned under the Limited Duty Officer program in November 2005.  She is CNATTU Jacksonville’s first female commanding officer.
 
 “It is a tremendous honor and privilege for me to assume command,” Higingbotham said during the ceremony. I can’t think of a more challenging or rewarding job.  I also would like to say “Fair Winds and Following Seas” to Cmdr. Koonce and wish him only the best that life has to offer him and his family, as he ventures out in the next phase of his life’s journey.  Lastly, I’m supported by the very best CNATTU JAX staff and “training and readiness”, will be priority one as we go forward with our mission.  We will continue to ensure every student departs CNATTU Jacksonville with the most ready relevant learning possible to achieve their apprentice or journeyman qualifications expeditiously to ensure our flight lines are manned to take the fight to the enemy.”

The CNATTU Jacksonville staff also welcomed Cmdr. David L. Badman at their new executive officer. CNATTU Jacksonville’s overall readiness and success for CY-2022 was remarkable.  More than 5,200 Navy, Marine, and foreign military students graduated to support multiple war fighting platforms in the Fleet and around the world.

Higingbotham's and Badman's biographies can be read here: https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Center-for-Naval-Aviation-Technical-Training/Jacksonville/Leadership/ 
 
 
 
 
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