VT-2 aerial change of command

NAS WHITING FIELD, Fla. - Coast Guard Capt. Mark Jackson will relinquish command of Training Squadron Two (VT-2) to Navy Cmdr. Wes Barnes on Aug. 9 in an aerial change of command onboard Naval Air Station Whiting Field. The two captains will change command in the air over the radio with each flying a T-6 trainer aircraft. Training Air Wing 5 deputy commodore Col. Jeffrey M. Pavelko will act as the senior reporting official. Once they land, a completion of the ceremony will occur inside a hangar on base. Barnes is currently executive officer of the squadron. VT-2 is one of three fixed-wing squadrons at NASWF that trains prospective pilots in primary aviation, whereupon successful completion, aviators receive their follow on aircraft assignments. Follow-on jet training is conducted at NAS Meridian, Miss. Whiting Field supports about 60 percent of all primary fixed-wing flight training, and 100 percent of all initial helicopter training for the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps. (NASWF media advisory 08/08/19)