Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA) held a change of command ceremony May 19 at the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Capt. Courtney Smith relieved Capt. Douglas Heady as commanding officer, who retired after 30 years of service.

Former Commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), retired Rear Adm. Don Quinn was the quest speaker for the ceremony and highlighted the many accomplishments achieved under Heady's command.

"You have significantly enhanced our nation's security cooperation efforts by building effective partnerships," said Quinn. "To do this you have communicated frequently with Navy fleet commanders, Navy systems commands, NETC, and the headquarters of all 5 military services while meticulously managing over $920 million in training and 76,000 international students from 161 countries."

Heady, from Marathon, New York, earned a Naval ROTC scholarship to the University of Notre Dame and received his bachelor's degree in 1986. He was then designated a naval flight officer in February 1988 and went on to accumulate more than 2,700 flight hours -- including 2,600 in tactical jet aircraft with 780 carrier arrested landings. Heady completed his master's degree in national strategy and strategic studies from the Naval War College in 2001, graduating with distinction.

Heady's naval aviation career began with an operational assignment to Sea Control Squadron (VS) 31, where he flew the S-3B Viking. Assignments to shore and staff billets include a tour as fleet replacement instructor at VS-27 and as special technical operations branch chief at U.S. Special Operations Command in Tampa, Florida, supporting combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He also served as operations officer aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65), supporting combat operations in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. His most recent assignment was camp commander, Al Asad Air Base, the largest air base in Iraq, from April-December 2010. Heady assumed command in May 2011 as the 12th commanding officer of NETSAFA.

"During the five years I have been at the command, I have had the unique opportunity to watch NETSAFA transform," said Heady. "There are around 1,200 international students in the Navy schools, and that's pretty impressive."

"Understand that Doug will be replaced by yet another S-3 member," said Quinn. "Capt. Courtney Smith is a proven leader who will help take NETSAFA to the next level."

Smith graduated from the University of Texas in 1988, earning a bachelor's degree in government and was commissioned through NROTC. She was designated as a naval flight officer in February of 1990 and went on to accumulate over 3,200 total flight hours in ten different aircraft with over 500 arrested landings. Smith completed her master's degree in military studies and joint warfare from American Military University.

After her first assignment with the Flashbacks of
Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 34 in Point Mugu, California, Smith returned to Pensacola in 1993 as a physical training and swim instructor at Naval Aviation Schools Command and served as an associate flight instructor with Training Squadron (VT) 10 flying the T-39 Saberliner. In 1998, she transitioned to the S-3B Viking and reported to the Maulers of VS-32 at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. In December 2000, she once again returned to Pensacola where she served as administrative officer at VT-10 and instructed in the T-39 Saberliner.

In July 2008, Smith transitioned to the EA-6B Prowler and reported to the Gray Wolves of VAQ-142 as executive officer, ultimately assuming command of the squadron October 2009. Under her leadership, the squadron completed two combat deployments to Al Asad, Iraq, in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. Smith's most recent assignment was executive assistant to the Commander, Naval Education and Training Command in Pensacola.

"I'm humbled and honored to take command of NETSAFA," said Smith. "The hard work and coordination that is done every day between NETSAFA worldwide, with training and maritime security partners readily supports the United States strategic policy and strengthens our international ties with our allies around the world."

Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA) is the U.S. Navy's agent for managing international training under Security Assistance and Security Cooperation programs. NETSAFA coordinates and supplies training support to international governments and organizations. The command also strives to build relationships that promote U.S. interests, strengthen defense relationships and support partner nation's abilities to participate in coalition operations.

For more information about NETSAFA, visit https://www.netsafa.navy.mil/.

For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.