Cmdr. Charles Ardinger relieved Cmdr. Bruce Bronk as commanding officer of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Norfolk during a Nov. 3 ceremony in the unit's hangar.

CNATT Commanding Officer Capt. Eric Simon presided over the event as the unit staff and students welcomed Ardinger and bid farewell to Bronk, who retired during the ceremony.

Initially serving as the CNATTU Norfolk executive officer in 2013, Bronk assumed duties as the commanding officer of the organization in May 2015, overseeing the training of students in the maintenance and operation of air weapons systems supporting a variety of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.

"Having the opportunity to serve as both commanding officer and executive officer has been an extreme honor and privilege," he said.

More than 11,500 students completed "C" school training during Bronk's tenure, something he attributed to the professionalism and dedication of the 146 Navy, Marine Corps, and civilian instructors and support staff.

"Working with some of the Navy's finest leaders and instructors has been the greatest tour of my naval career," he said.

Bronk was presented the Meritorious Service Medal during the change of command ceremony.

Ardinger, the CNATTU Norfolk executive officer since May 2015, expressed his commitment to ensuring the quality education of the students now in his charge remained intact, while addressing staff for the first time as their commanding officer.

"It is an absolute honor to be your commanding officer," said Ardinger. "It is a humbling experience. My commitment to you is the same -- I work for you and this is our command."

Ardinger holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Columbia Southern University, and enlisted in the Navy August 1984. His assignments include Naval Air Station (NAS) Bermuda; amphibious transport dock USS Austin (LPD 4); NAS Cecil Field Det. Pinecastle, Florida; Pre-Commissioning Unit George Washington (CVN 73); Naval Aviation Schools Command, NAS Pensacola, Florida; USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71); NAS Pensacola, Florida; aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); officer-in-charge of CNATT Det. Lakehurst, New Jersey; USS Enterprise (CVN 65); and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst, New Jersey.

CNATTU Norfolk delivers specialized aviation training for MH-53E Sea Dragon and MH-60S Seahawk helicopters, E-2C Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning aircraft, C-2A Greyhound Carrier On-board Delivery aircraft, airborne mine countermeasures, undersea warfare, and aviation maintenance administration management functions.

CNATTU Norfolk is a training unit of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training located at NAS Pensacola, Florida. CNATT develops, delivers, and supports aviation technical training at 27 sites located throughout the continental United States and Japan.

CNATT is a technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise, an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost under Naval Education and Training Command.

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