Cmdr. Rodney Moss relieved Cmdr. Larry R. Spradlin as commanding officer of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Whidbey Island during a change of command ceremony Dec. 11.

Capt. Terrence Hammond, commanding officer of Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), presided over the event. The unit staff and students witnessed the ceremony, bidding farewell to Spradlin as he addressed the Sailors and civilians for the final time.

"Time has gone by entirely too fast, but I guess that's what happens when you love doing what you're doing," Spradlin said. "This amazing opportunity has been made so much better because I got to come to work every day with a staff consisting of motivated, positive thinking professionals that made the command run like clockwork. CNATTU Whidbey Island is at the top of my list of most rewarding tours in my 31-year career--I'm going to miss being a part of it for many years to come."

Spradlin reported as CNATTU Whidbey Island commanding officer in November 2012, overseeing 121 personnel instructing 5,703 students in 88 courses of technical training supporting the EA-18G Growler airborne electronic attack aircraft, EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft, P-3C Orion long range antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft and the EP-3E (ARIES II) signals intelligence reconnaissance aircraft.

During his tour, Spradlin was additionally instrumental in providing mishap-free, high-risk aircraft firefighting training to more than 1,800 military and civilian personnel throughout the entire Pacific Northwest Region. Through his commitment to community service, CNATTU Whidbey Island was nominated for three different Bainbridge Awards by Commander, Navy Region Northwest.

CNATTU Whidbey Island provides initial rate "A" school and advanced career "C" school training on the EA-6B, P-3C and EP-3E aircraft, as well as training in Micro-Miniature Repair (2M), Senior Enlisted Aviation Maintenance (SEAM) and Flight Deck Fire Fighting.

CNATT is a technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) an organization designed to advance and sustain Naval Aviation warfighting capabilities, and is the largest training center in the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) domain.

For more news from Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, visit www.navy.mil/.