Cmdr. Kenneth B. Sanchez relieved Cmdr. Michelle M. DeBourge during a change of command ceremony for the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) North Island in the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 hangar onboard Naval Air Station North Island, California, March 2.

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) Maintenance Officer Cmdr. Jeffrey Brown served as the guest speaker for the event, and CNATT Commanding Officer Capt. Eric Simon was the presiding officer.

"Any organization that makes maintainers is a place I want to be," Brown said. "CNATTU [North Island] makes the finest maintenance technicians in the world."

During her remarks before turning over command, DeBourge thanked the CNATTU staff for their support during her nearly two-year tour at the helm of CNATTU North Island.

"I clearly recognize that the success of my CNATTU North Island tour is not because of me, but because of each member of this command," said DeBourge. "I am thankful and honored that I have had the privilege to be able to work for you, learn, mentor, and contribute to your success as individuals and as a command in providing premier training to the fleet. It is a tremendous satisfaction knowing that I had this opportunity to serve by your side as a member of this command."

DeBourge was commissioned through the Limited Duty Officer/Chief Warrant Officer Indoctrination Course, May 1998. Her previous tours include USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), Fleet Logistics Squadron (VR) 53, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (SFWL), and Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129.

During the course of her tour as CNATTU North Island, DeBourge guided the development of CNATTU training in supporting changing fleet requirements. Under her command, CNATTU North Island received the Navy Community Service Program Project Good Neighbor Community Service Flagship Award and Retention Excellence Awards for fiscal years 2015 and 2016.

Her next assignment is as the Naval Test Wing Pacific (NTWP) wing maintenance officer.

Sanchez, who served as the CNATTU North Island executive officer for nearly two years, praised DeBourge's efforts during his remarks.

"Your leadership, patience, intellect, enthusiasm, and friendship have been greatly appreciated," Sanchez said. "Your focus upon the care and development of our entire staff -- military and civilian -- is without peer. You have worked tirelessly to hone a winning team, one that has met and exceeded every training mission objective and more. Your compassion, your guidance, and your leadership will be sorely missed."

Sanchez, addressing the CNATTU North Island staff for the first time as their commanding officer, spoke of the continued efforts he plans to embrace as he leads the organization.

"We are very fortunate to be serving at a Navy school house during a time of great change to the way that Navy technical training is delivered -- supporting the Ready, Relevant Learning initiative," said Sanchez. "As subject matter experts, you have already provided detailed information and technical guidance related to aviation support equipment training, and will soon vet aviation electrician's mate initial training. We have an important job to do!"

Sanchez enlisted in the Navy in 1984, completing recruit training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, and aviation electrician's mate "A" school at Naval Air Technical Training Center in Millington, Tennessee. He was selected for advancement to chief petty officer in 1992 and was commissioned an ensign, June 1998.

CNATTU North Island is a training unit of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training located at Naval Air Station Pensacola. CNATT develops, delivers, and supports aviation technical training at 27 sites located throughout the continental United States and Japan.

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

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy.

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