Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) held a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida Feb. 22.

During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Gary Mayes relieved Rear Adm. Babette “Bette” Bolivar as the region’s commander. The time-honored ceremony marked an end to Bolivar’s leadership of the command that she has headed since February 2017.

CNRSE supports and guides 18 installations throughout the Southeastern United States and the Caribbean.

Vice Adm. Mary Jackson, commander, Navy Installations Command, served as the guest speaker for the ceremony. She presented Bolivar with the Legion of Merit for her performance of outstanding services and achievements.

“As we evolve from a shore integrator to a shore owner, each member of the CNIC team must relentlessly examine how we operate to support maximum operational readiness. Bette and the Navy Region Southeast team have, and continue, to deliver at the highest level to this standard,” Jackson said. “I have, and will always, admire your work and your tenacity. As a shipmate and a friend, you have done an exceptional job.”   

Born in Hawaii and raised in various locations in the Western Pacific, Bolivar graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in oceanography. She later went on to earn a Master of Science degree in management from Troy University. In 1988, following her second tour, Bolivar was accepted to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Diving and Salvage Community as a special operations officer. She served in various leadership positions aboard five Navy ships, as well as commanding officer of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1. Within the Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) enterprise, she has served in numerous positions including a tour as the CNIC chief of staff, as commander, Navy Region Northwest, as commander, Joint Region Marianas, and then in her current position as commander, Navy Region Southeast.

Bolivar’s next assisgnment will be in San Diego, California, where she will take the helm of commander, Navy Region Southwest in March.

She thanked the installations, the community, and the Navy Region Southeast staff.

“It has been an absolute pleasure being part of this team,” Bolivar said. “The combination of our installations, tenant commands, other Department of Defense services, and governments and communities across our region enable us to execute CNIC’s mission to support the fleet, the fighter and the family. These are the can-do professionals who continue to make it happen for our region.”

Following the strking of Bollivar’s flag and the raising of Mayes’ flag, the new commander of Navy Region Southeast addressed his team for the first time.

“What an honor and a privilege it is for me to again assume the mantle of command in this great Navy,” Mayes said. “After spending the past few weeks with many of the professionals on the staff and the various commands that make up this region, I observed your infectios unity, your enthusiasm, your synergy of effort and I am happy to say I am absolutely thrilled and proud to be here serving alongside the men and women of Navy Region Southeast.”

Mayes graduated from Purdue University in 1987, earned his commissioned from Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1988, and was designated as a naval aviator in 1989. 

He is familiar with the Jacksonville area having flown with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 48 and 46. He served as the executive officer and commanding officer of HSL-44, and as the officer in charge of a combined East and West Coast HSL/Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) detachment of 16 helicopters conducting rescue and humanitarian relief missions in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

His previous flag assignments include commander, Navy Region Northwest and, most recently on the staff of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operatons for Fleet Readiness and Logistics.  

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