The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Detachment Whiting Field held a change of charge ceremony at the Naval Air Station Whiting Field atrium Nov. 14.

Cmdr. Kevin Bittle turned over responsibilities to Lt. Cmdr. Steven Bryant during the ceremony, at which CNATT Commanding Officer Capt. Eric J. Simon served as presiding officer.

Bittle, who served as the CNATT Detachment Whiting Field Officer-in-Charge since 2014, said the opportunity to serve at the helm of the schoolhouse was a rewarding experience.

"Serving with this remarkable group of individuals was one of the best experiences I have had," Bittle said. "The CNATT Det Whiting Field team is truly a family, and each and every one of the {enlisted} Sailors and officers here has made me a better officer and leader."

Under Bittle's leadership, CNATT Detachment Whiting Field delivered nearly 13,000 hours of naval aviation maintenance and ordnance training, graduating more than 1,000 Aviation Maintenance Officers and Aviation Ordnance Officers during his 30-month tour.

Bryant, who most recently served aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) assistant maintenance officer (AMO), addressed staff as their officer-in-charge for the first time during the ceremony. He expressed his enthusiasm for continuing the organization's success in ensuring the education of aviation maintenance and ordnance officers remained the best.

"I sincerely appreciate and am excited for the opportunity to work with a staff whose reputation precedes them," Bryant said. "Together, we'll continue training and mentoring the best Navy and Marine Corps aviation maintenance and ordnance officers for duty anywhere in the world."

CNATT Detachment Whiting Field oversees the technical training to more than 450 Navy, Marine Corps and international military officer and enlisted students annually in the instruction, curriculum development and maintenance of seven aviation maintenance management and aviation ordnance officer career progression courses.

CNATT Detachment Whiting Field is a training unit of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training located at Naval Air Station 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, and is the largest training center under Naval Education and Training Command.


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