Capt. Marc Farnsworth relieved Capt. Steven Leehe as commanding officer Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) on Friday, July 15, during a change of command ceremony at the FRCSW testline.

Farnsworth previously served as the command’s executive officer.

Following the arrival of the official party and national anthem, Capt. Leehe opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks and introduced the guest speaker, Rear Adm. Joseph Hornbuckle, commander, Fleet Readiness Centers.

In his opening statement Rear Adm. Hornbuckle summarized Capt. Leehe’s 40-years of naval service, and recounted Leehe’s enlistment in the Marine Corps in 1982 as a Field Communications Technician to his assumption as commanding officer of FRCSW in May 2020.

Afterward, Rear Adm. Hornbuckle reviewed the command’s many accomplishments under Leehe’s tenure, and spoke of the debut of the Naval Sustainment System (NSS) in FRCSW’s Component Program.

“To streamline processes and address efficiencies, FRCSW was the first command to implement the NSS which yielded a 20 percent production-volume increase and averaged a 30 percent turn-around-time reduction improvement to over 30,000 aviation components,” he said.

“This resulted in the FRCSW Components Hydraulics shop being awarded NAVAIR’s best shop across our enterprise.”

Turning his attention to the command’s LM2500 production line, Rear Adm. Hornbuckle said: “Capt. Leehe worked with NAVAIR and NAVSEA to revitalize the LM2500 engine line, achieving major cost improvements.”

Hornbuckle addressed incoming-FRCSW Commanding Officer Capt. Farnsworth’s 34-years of naval aviation experience, noting his assignments at Naval Air Station Miramar and as the FRCSW production officer and executive officer.

Next, he presented Capt. Leehe with the Legion of Merit Award for his role as FRCSW commanding officer from May 2020 to July 2022.

During his remarks Leehe referenced the creation and initial goal of the NSS, which was to produce and sustain 341 Mission Capable Super Hornets.

“The Fleet achieved that and FRCSW was on the leading edge of that achievement,” he said. “This NSS collaboration and transformation has been a success at FRCSW because we were hungry for it. The time was ripe and BCG gave us the catalyst we needed to transform our plant.”

“`The artisan is the surgeon’” showed us that the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) was willing to invest precious capital in us. But more importantly, they were willing to invest their belief in us. And now, that NAE investment of belief has brought the first F/A-18 Super Hornet Service Life Modification to FRCSW.”

Recounting the command’s role in supporting the warfighter, Leehe said: “Since October of 2020, we have produced 290 aircraft, over 30,000 aircraft components, 15 shipboard gas turbine engines and more than 6,000 items of manufacturing, while generating more than $1.5 Billion in revenue, including $200 million of positive net operating result.”

Leehe attributed the success of those efforts to the command workforce.

“It is not the buildings or the products we produce that make FRCSW the greatest depot in the Navy, it is the people, and you all are leading the way,” he said.

 “With over 100 years of history at FRCSW, we stand on the shoulders of our predecessors,” he said. “It is our duty to honor their contribution to Naval Aviation history by protecting their legacy and producing a product and customer service worthy of their memory.”

Before concluding his remarks and 40 years of service, Capt. Leehe reenlisted Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class (AZ1) Lowell Wilson.

“Today, AZ1 Wilson has decided to continue his career in the Navy by reenlisting for four more years. He has been in the Navy since 2012. He’s now on his way back to sea onboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) but before he goes, he must obligate service in order to transfer.”

After the reading of orders and assuming command, Capt. Farnsworth noted Capt. Leehe’s leadership as FRCSW commanding officer and service to the nation before addressing the crucial role the command’s artisans and engineers.

“It will always be my continued honor and pleasure to serve this awesome organization,” he said.

The change of command concluded with Capt. Leehe’s retirement ceremony.

Fair Winds and Following Seas, Capt. Leehe!