In a change of command ceremony, the Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems (PMA-273) welcomed a new program manager, Capt. Charles “Win” Everett and bid farewell to Capt. David C. Wooten. This time honored event, which formally restates the continuity of the authority of command, took place in the VX-20 hangar amid many statically displayed PMA-273 aircraft.

Everett, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, will now assume the position of program manager for PMA-273 and will have the responsibility for the procurement and complete life cycle management of the T-45TS, T-6ATS, T-2C, T-34C, T-44A, TC-12, T-39, and TH-57 aircraft systems for the Navy and Marine Corps. Everett is reporting to PMA-273 from his duties as Deputy F/A-18 Program Manager for Fleet Support.

Wooten will assume the position of Executive Assistant for Vice Adm. Walter B. Massenburg, U.S. Navy Commander, Naval Air Systems Command. Wooten had served as program manager for Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems, since August 2000.

The United States Naval Academy Band played several musical selections as the audience settled and the ceremony began with the arrival of the official party, which included Vice Adm. Massenburg, Mr. Tom E. Laux, Program Executive Officer for Air ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs, and Reverend Paula Halliday, Chaplain. Reverend Halliday offered the invocation that was followed by welcoming remarks from Wooten to the many guests and dignitaries. The ceremony continued with honors, posting of colors and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, sung by Hannah Berens.

Tom Laux recognized Wooten for his accomplishments as program manager for PMA-273 describing PMA-273 under his purview as, “a great team of players with a great leader, working together to delight a training fleet customer who was bound to deliver magic, and that’s just what you’ve done, you have consistently been the program office with the most innovative approaches to acquisition, pushing the state of the art. You have delivered real, tangible savings to the Navy, not just fuzzy cost-avoidance savings.”

Tom Laux further stated, “that not long ago Mr. Young sent a note to SECNAV highlighting the specifics of how innovative acquisition in PMA-273 was saving the Navy real money while continuing to take care of our training fleet customers.”

Addressing Everett, Tom Laux commented “a program manager named ‘Win’ - now that sounds like a real good fit to me. A note to our industry partners: we now have our half of a Win-Win; the other half is up to you.”

Guest speaker Vice Adm. Massenburg stated that, “Since August 2000, Dave Wooten has managed the Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program. He has led with integrity decisiveness, and stewardship – qualities that are vital to the success of this critical program.” Massenburg went on to say, “you can tell a lot about a person by how he decorates his office – and inside Dave’s you’ll find bowls of candy on the desk and assorted collections of stuffed animals, coloring books, Dr. Seuss stories, and miniature cars. They tell the story of how ‘Woots’ runs his program – with energy, excitement, and creativity.”

“Captain Win Everett brings with him a wealth of ‘cost-wise’ program management experience, with proven success in promoting Naval Aviation readiness and dominant, maritime combat power”, Massenburg told the audience. Massenburg stated of Everett that, “while serving with the F/A-18 Program Office, he promoted increased reliability for the APG-65 and –73 radar systems, doubling the Super Hornets’ Time on Wing over the past three years.”

The ceremony continued as both Wooten and Everett read their orders and accepted their new positions. Both Wooten and Everett thanked their families for their support and for the support of all those along the way who made their jobs as leaders and managers easy and fulfilling.

The ceremony came to an end with the benediction delivered by Reverend Halliday as the Navy Hymn played softly in the background.

-End-