NASWF has new XO

NAS WHITING FIELD, Fla. - Cmdr. Jim Brownlee became the new Executive Officer of Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field on May 15 following a distinguished career in naval aviation. In January, he reported back to NASWF as the prospective executive officer, and began training for the command position, and re-qualifying in the TH-57. Brownlee has two goals for himself as the XO - to lead and support sailors and civilians, and find a way to leave the base even better than the Commander Installations Command award-winning facility it is today. The new XO joined the Navy after college, reporting to NAS Pensacola for Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1995. After commissioning, he flew T-34Cs at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and followed that tour up at NASWF flying TH-57 Sea Ranger with Helicopter Training Squadron Eight (HT-8). He earned his Wings of Gold as an Unrestricted Naval Aviator from NASWF in 1998. (Source: NASWF 06/01/18) NASWF provides primary flight training for naval aviators in both fixed-wing and helicopters. NAS Meridian, Miss., is among two Gulf Coast bases that provide the next step for fixed-wing aviation training.