JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE), the largest tenant command on Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, held its change of command in Hangar 1000 on the master air base July 25.

FRCSE Executive Officer Capt. John G. Kemna, a Professional Aviation Maintenance Officer (PAMO) who hails from Missouri, assumed command of the aviation maintenance depot from Captain Robert B. Caldwell, Jr., also a PAMO, who retired during the ceremony.

Caldwell thanked the FRCSE workforce for their hard work and perseverance during his remarks to about 500 civilian and military personnel.

“My time here as CO (commanding officer) has been the ultimate way to cap off my Navy career,” he said.  “Every officer when they transfer…always says that it was the best [duty station].  I can honestly say this really was the best, not because of the cutting-edge work that our Sailors and civilian artisans are doing but because of the professionalism, teamwork and total dedication to our Fleet customers that these folks have demonstrated.”

As his final act as commander, Caldwell surprised Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Jaime Reyna with a meritorious promotion to first class petty officer.  Reyna was selected for the honor because of his exemplary leadership as the P-3 Sea Operation Detachment production supervisor, and the leading petty officer for 20 Sailors who provide maintenance and administrative services in support of military aircraft for 15 Naval activities and five areas of responsibility.

Before turning over the reins to Kemna, Caldwell presented Cmdr. Jerry Brown with his command pin and Lt. Jeff Tomaszewski with his captain’s collar device.  Finally, he thanked his wife, Laura, for her unflagging support and positive attitude through numerous moves, as well as his mother for “raising a pretty decent kid.”

Kemna, who served as the FRCSE executive officer from July 2011 to 2013 under Caldwell, thanked him for being such an “incredible boss” and teaching him how to be a great commanding officer.

“There truly wasn’t a day that went by that I did not learn something new,” said Kemna.  “It felt as if I were working for my best friend.”

He also thanked his family for their love, support and endurance through seven duty station moves.

Kemna, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, comes with a vast wealth of knowledge and experience gained throughout his 24-year military career filling numerous positions ashore and afloat.

He said the aviation depot’s mission would be tested in the coming months, but FRCSE’s solid reputation and accomplishments over the last two years were a testament to great teamwork.  He said the people were the facility’s “best and finest assets.”

“We could have the finest equipment, gadgetry and spaces, but it is our people that pull it off every day with their knowledge, their skills and their abilities.  You do your job incredibly well, and for that you should be very proud of the role you play in defense of this great nation.”

Dennis West, the deputy commander of Fleet Readiness Centers, presided over the ceremony.  He said the occasion not only physically depicted the transfer of command and authority from one Naval officer to another but also the transfer of a tremendous burden and responsibility.

West told Caldwell he was one of the “good guys” and considered himself fortunate to have Caldwell serving as one of his commanders.  He said Caldwell was “a true thinker,” always looking for better ways to serve the Warfighter.

West told Kemna the Navy had watched his growth during his career that prepared him for an opportunity such as this to lead the FRCSE workforce.

“The privileges of command…will test your leadership ability, your mental toughness, your character, and it will reveal your true nature to all those around you,” said West.  “You will be the most watched, most quoted, and most blamed person in this plant.”

He also told Kemna that many former COs had shared with him that leading a command was the most rewarding experience they ever had, it went by way too quickly, and they missed it every day.  West told Kemna and Capt. Chuck Stuart, the incoming executive officer, that the “ship is on course and steady…full speed ahead.”

Kemna graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering in 1989.  He later attended Aviation Maintenance Officer School at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.  From 1996 to 1998, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., earning a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering.