NASWF change of command

NAS WHITING FIELD, Fla. - Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla., will observe a change of command Dec. 18. Capt. Paul Bowdich will accept command from outgoing commander, Capt. Todd Bahlau. Bahlau’s three-year tour included multiple honors such as the Commander Navy Installation Command and Association of Defense Communities Installation excellence awards, Chief of Naval Operation’s retention and environmental awards, and the USS Bainbridge Navy Community Service Overall Excellence Award. Bahlau’s next assignment will be with the Miami (Ohio) University Naval ROTC unit. Bowdich is no stranger to NASWF. He was commander of Helicopter Training Squadron Eight from December 2011 to April 2013. Following that tour, he reported to the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) with a deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He comes to NASWF from duty with the Naval Education and Training Command headquarters at NAS Pensacola. (Source: NAS Whiting Field 12/14/17) NAS Whiting Field is home to primary naval aviation. Many of the student-pilots that earn their Wings of Gold report for duty for advance aviation training at NAS Meridian, Miss.