Lt. Col. Tegan K. Owen relieved Lt. Col. Garrett H. V. Randel III, during a change of command ceremony for the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Cherry Point at Miller's Landing onboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point July 12.

Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) executive officer Capt. Nate Schneider presided over the ceremony attended by staff members, students, family and friends.

Before turning over command, Randel thanked the CNATTU Cherry Point team for their support during his nearly two-year tour as commanding officer.

"Few ever think about the initial training they received when they entered military service, other than their first and last day of boot camp," said Randel. "Serving the Marines and Sailors of CNATTU Cherry Point and Little Rock - and being supported by CNATT HQ - has been a tremendous learning experience in the effort we put towards developing the most capable individuals for the operating forces. My thanks to everyone for their support. The Marines and Sailors here are true professionals, and I will miss serving with them."

As commanding officer, Randel directed the efforts of nearly 170 staff members in the instruction of more than 4,000 Navy, Marine Corps and international students.

Randel graduated from Boise State University in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in political science before enlisting in the Marine Corps. He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and was stationed with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines when selected to attend Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned in 1998.

Randel's operational assignments include tours with 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Headquarters, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadrons 11, 39, and 26, deploying to Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Randel's next assignment is with U.S. Transportation Command as an action officer in the Joint Operations Center.

Owen, an Eglin, Illinois, native, who most recently served as the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific aviation logistics department aircraft maintenance officer, was commissioned in 1999. Her sea-duty assignments include Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121; Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1; and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 13 as the executive officer.

Owen was also assigned to MALS 11; U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific; Royal Australian Air Force as part of the U.S. Marine Exchange Officer program; and Headquarters United States Marine Corps as the director of Commander's Action Group and as the aviation logistics department aircraft maintenance officer.

"I am truly humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead the great men and women of CNATTU Cherry Point," said Owen.

CNATTU Cherry Point provides aviation maintenance specialized training to operate and maintain weapon systems and sub-systems supporting the AV-8B Harrier and the C/KC-130J Hercules, as well as providing instruction on aviation cryogenics, avionics and ordnance.

CNATTU Cherry Point is a training unit for CNATT, a technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE), an organization designed to advance and sustain Naval Aviation warfighting capabilities, under the Naval Education and Training Command domain.

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