Cmdr. Richard Grove relieved Cmdr. Jeffry Sandin as commanding officer of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Oceana during a change of command ceremony, June 30, at the CNATTU hangar.

Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Commanding Officer Capt. Terrence Hammond presided over the event as CNATTU Oceana staff and students welcomed Grove and bid farewell to Sandin.

Sandin reported as CNATTU executive officer July 2013 and assumed command January 2015, overseeing the quality delivery of technical instruction from four Maintenance Training Units (MTUs) and graduating more than 8,000 students.

During Sandin's tenure at the helm of CNATTU Oceana, the organization received two Retention Excellence Awards and the Navy Community Service Personal Excellence Partnership Award for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. Sandin is scheduled to report to Naval Sea Systems Command, APM EMALS/AAG PEO Carriers PMS-378G, Washington D.C.

"I am humbled by the commitment to service that each and every member of CNATTU Oceana displays," Sandin said during the ceremony. "They truly are the best of the best and they are changing the world, one student at a time. It has been my honor and privilege to serve as their commanding officer."

Grove addressed the nearly 300 staff, students and guests for the first time as commanding officer, citing the staff's exemplary leadership, vision and guidance as unit characteristics integral to mission success.

"To the officers, chiefs, Sailors, Marines and civilians of team CNATTU Oceana, I thank each and every one of you," Grove said. "It is your passion, service and commitment to excellence that ensures Sailors and Marines are prepared to support the warfighter to do their job anywhere on the globe. Your leadership and unwavering commitment to serve has been an awesome sight and I am privileged, honored and humbled to be in the enviable position of commanding this learning center with its impressive history of excellence as a result of your devotion and dedication to the fleet."

CNATTU Oceana supports the Department of Defense by providing specialized technical training to aviation maintenance professionals for F/A-18 Hornets and automated test equipment in direct support of genuine and emerging fleet requirements. The Oceana unit is part of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, which provides single site management for Navy and Marine Corps aviation technical training.

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

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