NAS Meridian Welcomes 24th Commanding Officer

By Penny Randall, Naval Air Station Meridian Public Affairs

NAVAL AIR STATION MERIDIAN, Miss. (NNS) -- Capt. Scott Bunnay become the 24th commanding officer of Naval Air Station Meridian during an official change of command ceremony July 18. He relieved Capt. Charles C. Moore II who served as the installation's commanding officer since July 2011.

"This assignment brings me happily back to Mississippi to command NAS Meridian," said Bunnay who completed flight training and received his Wings of Gold and designation as a naval aviator in July 1994 from Training Air Wing One on board the installation. "Please rest assured the service members and civilians of NAS Meridian will continue to strive to be the best possible citizens, leaders, friends and neighbors."

The guest speaker for the ceremony was Capt. Steven H. Blaisdell, chief of staff for Navy Region Southeast.

"Meridian is true Navy town USA," Blaisdell said. "You cannot have success without support and it is evident that Capt. Moore has developed a tremendous partnership among the team at NAS Meridian. He knows how to take care of his Sailors and staff, and at the same time accomplish the goals of the Navy. I send a sincere thank you to all the Sailors, Marines, civilians and contractors who make this base run."

Under Moore's leadership, the installation provided the highest quality support for its tenant commands, skillfully managed response to disasters, and received numerous accolades.

"I consider the responsibility of being the commanding officer of NAS Meridian an incredibly humbling experience. The installation will be in great hands with Capt. Bunnay," Moore said. "I could not have done this job without the loving support from my family."

Moore guided 400 personnel in providing facilities and services with a $30 million budget, which enabled 73,400 flight operations more than 135,735 flight hours at two airfields which led to the winging of 387 naval aviators during his tenure.

He orchestrated $65 million in repairs and renovations, which facilitated the graduation of 6,350 students from Naval Technical Training Center Meridian and 2,100 students from Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron One.

Moore's extensive leadership was further evidenced by the installation's awards, including Southeast Region's small installation nomination for the 2011 Installation Excellence Award, the Secretary of the Navy's Gold Energy Award, the National Weather Service's StormReady Community designation, three consecutive Ney Five Star Accreditations, the 2013 Retention Excellence Award, Southeast Region's 2013 Environmental Stewardship Community Service Flagship Award, and 2013 Chief of Naval Operations Installation Environmental Restoration Award.

Moore's next assignment will be commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Illinois.

Bunnay's Navy career has included assignments with the EA-6B Prowler Fleet Replacement Squadron, Electronic Attack Squadron 129 at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., and with Electronic Attack Squadron 135 assigned to the "World Famous Black Ravens," where he deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing Eleven aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) supporting Operation Southern Watch and later aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in support of Operations Southern Watch and Desert Fox.

In May 1999, Bunnay reported to the Combined Air Operations Center of NATO's 5th Allied Tactical Air Force in Vicenza, Italy. He served as the electronic warfare coordination cell chief in support of Operation Allied Force. In November 1999, he reported to VAQ-129 as an instructor pilot and served as a familiarization and navigation instructor, safety officer and landing signal officer.

In May 2002, Bunnay was assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron 136 (VAQ-136), part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces home ported in Atsugi, Japan, for his department head tour. As a "Gauntlet," he deployed in 2003, as part of Carrier Air Wing Five aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), supporting Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom. He served as the safety officer, administrative officer, electronic warfare officer, and operations officer while with VAQ-136.

In December 2004, Bunnay reported to The Joint Staff, Directorate for Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems. While serving as an action officer, he earned a master's degree in the management of information technology from the University of Virginia. Following selection for aviation command, he reported to VAQ-129 as executive officer in June 2007.

In June 2008, he reported to Electronic Attack Squadron 132 as executive officer and assumed command of the "Scorpions" in April 2009. During his tenure, the squadron completed the first fleet transition from the EA-6B Prowler to the EA-18G Growler.

Following his operational command tour, Bunnay reported to the RAND Corporation in August 2010 as a federal executive fellow. In August 2011, he reported to the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy.

NAS Meridian supports 24 tenant commands providing aviation and technical training. It accomplishes its mission of "Training the Warfighter" by providing timely, quality services and facilities in an environmentally safe, secure community. Departments working under the commanding officer form the backbone for the entire installation's functioning.