By Gary Rice
Public Affairs Specialist

In a Change of Command ceremony held on July 11, Col Eugene K. Conti relinquished command of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Depot Cherry Point to Col John D. Gumbel. The ceremony – which was attended by hundreds of employees, dignitaries, and guests – also marked Conti’s retirement from the Marine Corps.

Addressing the audience, guests of honor retired LtGen Frederick McCorkle and NAVAIR Assistant Commander for Industrial Operations RADM Walter Massenburg praised both of the colonels for their years of service to the depot and the nation. During the proceedings, the admiral presented Conti with the Legion of Merit award and a certificate of retirement.

“Throughout his time as your Commanding Officer, Colonel Conti brought superb leadership, organizational, and management vision to both NAVAIR and the depot,” Massenburg said. “His unwavering dedication to fleet readiness provided unparalleled in-service industrial support. Using business process re-engineering initiatives to enhance efficiency and improve productivity, he was instrumental in reducing turnaround time on major weapons systems by 30 percent. Additionally, by successfully executing the first DoD partnering contract with an original equipment manufacturer for auxiliary power units, he provided a model for future partnering efforts that will result in the best public-private collaboration.”

Following the admiral’s speech, Cols Conti and Gumbel took their positions in front of the stage as the narrator, Maj Scott Griffith, read the official orders transferring command. This was followed by the traditional passing of the depot flag, and the change of command was complete.

In his first address to his depot teammates as their CO, Col Gumbel said, “There is no more dedicated, patriotic, and industrious workforce to be found anywhere. You were the best in the business when I arrived here as Executive Officer two years ago, and you have done nothing but improve since. As you know, we have significant challenges ahead, and we will meet those challenges by continuing to excel at what we’re here for – providing service to the fleet.”

NAVAIR Depot Cherry Point provides maintenance, engineering, and logistics support on a variety of aircraft, engines, and components for all branches of the U.S. armed forces. Employing almost 4,000 people, the depot is the only source of repair within the continental United States for many jet and rotary wing engines. It is the Navy’s center of excellence for rotary wing aircraft, providing engineering and logistics support for all Navy helicopters.

The new CO thanked Col Conti for his leadership, and he thanked his wife, Stacey, for her steadfast support throughout his career. Col J. Mark Reed assumed the duties as the depot’s new Executive Officer.

Refreshments in the hangar followed the ceremony, and many people had the opportunity to congratulate the colonels. Among the distinguished guests in attendance at the ceremony were North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Beverly Purdue, local mayors, and five retired depot commanding officers – BrigGen Guy Vander Linden and Cols Neal Heffernan, William Etter, Jerald Gartman, and Gilda Jackson. The 2d Marine Air Wing Band provided martial music, and a depot color guard paraded the colors to open and close the ceremony.

NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technologies through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts. From aircraft and weapons development to carrier launch and recovery; from sensors to real-time communications to precision targeting; from aircraft and weapons sustainment to state-of-the-art training; NAVAIR provides dominant combat effects and matchless capabilities to the American warfighter.

Photo Caption: Col John Gumbel (right) receives the flag of command from outgoing CO Col Eugene Conti during the Change of Command ceremony at the NAVAIR Depot Cherry Point on July 11. (Photo by Dykie Whitfield)