Cmdr. Thomas Clementson relieved Lt. Cmdr. William Hollis as officer in charge of Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Det. Eglin, Feb. 17, during a ceremony at the Bayview Club on board Eglin Air Force Base.

CNATT Executive Officer Capt. Nate Schneider presided over the event as the unit staff and students welcomed Clementson and bid farewell to Hollis, who retired after 20 years of service.

Initially serving as the CNATT Det. Eglin assistant officer in charge in 2014, Hollis assumed duties as the detachment's officer in charge in 2016, overseeing the development, delivery and support of F-35 joint strike fighter aviation technical training.

"Being able to serve as the officer in charge of such an outstanding group of Sailors and Marines has been one of the highest honors I've had," said Hollis. "These men and women are the military's finest leaders [and] instructors, and working for them for our command has been a privilege."

During his time, Hollis supervised the development of instructions and formed memorandums of agreement with units which facilitated moving some aviation training responsibilities to the detachment from the 359th Training Squadron.

Under Hollis' leadership, CNATT Det. Eglin received approval of 13 courses and the qualification and certification of the first-ever Navy and Marine Corps F-35 maintenance instructors.

Clementson, a 17-year Navy veteran, expressed his commitment to ensuring CNATT Det. Eglin service members and civilians will continue to provide top-notch training, ensuring Sailors and Marines leaving their schoolhouse will be the best in the fleet.

"I am humbled to be chosen to lead such an outstanding group of aviation maintenance professionals," said Clementson. "I am here to support you in making sure we continue to move forward as we continue to transition to one of the most versatile aviation platforms the world has ever seen."

Clementson holds a bachelor's degree from Quincy University, and was commissioned in 2000. His assignments include Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (VF-213); Strike Fighter Attack (VFA-213); Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9 (VX-9); the Naval Post-graduate School, where he earned a master's degree in business administration and logistics; the Defense Contract Management Agency Headquarters; USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77); and Strike Fighter Attack Squadron 101 (VFA-101).

CNATT Det. Eglin develops, delivers and supports aviation technical training necessary to sustain the fifth generation F-35 joint strike fighters.

CNATT is the 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.

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