In an aviation hangar filled with guests and formations of Sailors and Marines, Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) held a change of command ceremony April 28.

During the ceremony, Capt. Maxine Goodridge relieved Capt. Hugh Rankin as commanding officer.

Rankin assumed command of NATTC in June 2015 and retired after the change of command, finishing nearly four decades of naval service.

"I feel very lucky to have had the privilege to command Naval Air Technical Training Center," said Rankin. "It has been a great honor. I really appreciate everyone's help and support over the last 22 months. NATTC has absolutely the finest civilian workforce and most impressive military staff I've ever had the pleasure of working for. Thank you for all the leadership and mentorship you provide to new accession Sailors and Marines on a daily basis to keep NATTC mission capable. You are all truly phenomenal."

Retired Rear Adm. Don Quinn, former Commander, Naval Education and Training Command, served as the guest speaker for the ceremony and spoke about Rankin's successful 39-year career.

"The Navy sets no limits for those who set none for themselves," said Quinn. "Hugh was an energetic team player with an insatiable appetite to learn and grow. Should you ever wonder if your contributions mattered, let me assure you they did. You are a national treasure. A shipmate who helped get the hard jobs done and enriched the lives of those who served with you. You will be missed."

Rankin is a native of Medicine Lodge, Kansas. His past assignments include numerous aviation squadrons to include; Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 136, Attack Squadron (VA) 185, VA-115, Fighter Squadron (VF) 21, (VFA) 94 and VF-154. Additionally he served as Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 as air wing maintenance officer (CAGMO). He was the executive officer at the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 24 and Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) North Island, California. He served on various shore billets to include Navy Personnel Command (NPC), Millington, Tennessee as Aviation LDO/CWO Assignments Branch Head, and NAS Patuxent River, Maryland as Military Director for NAVAIR 6.7.

Prior to assuming command of NATTC, Goodridge served as the Naval Personnel Command's Head of Aviation Limited Duty Officer/Chief Warrant Officer Assignments onboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South in Millington, Tennessee.

"I am humbled and blessed to be allowed to serve with such a diverse, technically proficient, professional, and dedicated team," said Goodridge. "It is an absolute honor and privilege to be your commanding officer and be given such a tremendous responsibility to shape the next generation of military leaders."

A native of Barbados, West Indies, her past assignments include Attack Squadron (VA) 128; Patrol Squadron (VP) 30; Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 2; Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 15; Commander, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light Wing Atlantic Fleet (COMHSLWINGLANT); Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125; a; USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU), Norfolk.

For more than 70 years, NATTC has been providing training and increasing readiness within the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE). The facility graduates approximately 24,000 Navy, Marine Corps and international students annually and is the largest training facility in the Navy post Recruit Training Command.

NATTC is part of the CNATT, which provides single site management for Navy and Marine Corps aviation technical training.

CNATT is the technical training agent for the NAE, an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost, under the Naval Education and Training Command.

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