Updated at 8 p.m. Jan. 22, 2015
The San Diego-based admiral in charge of all naval aviation retired Thursday and was replaced by the commander of air operations over the Atlantic Ocean.
Vice Adm. David Buss stepped down as commander, naval air forces, and left the Navy following 36 years of service.
Over his career, the 1978 Naval Academy graduate led one of the last squadrons of A-6 “Intruder” jets, commanded the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis, served on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations and directed strategy, planning and assessment in Baghdad, Iraq. He began his tenure as “air boss” in October 2012.
“I turn over an aviation force today of which I am, and you should be, very, very proud,” Buss said.
“Not only do we continue to excel in combat and have so continuously for the past 13-plus years, but we continue to set the conditions on a strategic playing field for decades of future success as a warfighting force for unprecedented transition into new and ever-increasingly capable aircraft, manned and unmanned alike, and our next generation aircraft carrier –the USS Gerald R. Ford,” Buss said.
He was replaced by Rear Adm. Troy “Mike” Shoemaker, who was promoted to vice admiral just before the change-of-command ceremony, according to the Navy.
The 1982 Naval Academy alumnus was most recently the commander, naval air force Atlantic. The veteran pilot has commanded several squadrons and air wings, has served as a flight instructor and in numerous shore-based staff positions.
“Those in uniform know all too well the constant demand for naval forces, naval aviation in particular, that we continue to see,” Shoemaker said.
“Our combatant commanders clearly value the strategic options and flexibility that carrier strike groups and our expeditionary aviation forces bring to their areas of responsibility,” Shoemaker said. “The challenge that lies ahead of us is how we continue to sustain the capacity to generate those forces, and ensure they are going forward with the right capabilities to operate where needed … all in a fiscal environment characterized by ever- increasing uncertainty.”
The naval air forces commander is responsible for the material readiness, administration, and training of all naval aviation commands and for providing operationally ready squadrons and aircraft carriers to the fleet.
The change-of-command ceremony took place aboard the Stennis in San Diego Bay.
— City News Service
