Haymon assumes command of NAS Fallon

Capt. Michael Haymon became the 35th commander of Naval Air Station Fallon in Friday’s change of command ceremony.

He replaces Capt. Shane Tanner, who will be chief of staff for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.

Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander of the Navy Installations Command and keynote speaker, and Rear Adm. Brad Rosen, commander of Navy Region Southwest, also attended the hour-long ceremony at hangar seven.

Haymon’s last assignment was at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he was a Mission Assurance chief and Navy service adviser for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

Haymon, a native of Aberdeen, Washington, attended Washington State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice. After graduation, he was commissioned an ensign. He also earned a Master of Science degrees from the University of San Diego and the National Defense University Eisenhower School.

Haymon’s duty assignments during his 27-year military career have included squadron department head, Squadron One; commanding officer of Patrol Squadron (VP-26); and commander of Task Group 67. Haymon deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Haymon said he was honored to assume command of NAS Fallon.

“This is a special place with special people,” he said, thanking the community and tribal leaders for their involvement with the base. “We are honored to be here.”

Haymon’s wife Joani and his daughter Alexis, who will be graduating from high school in the spring, attended the change of command.

Haymon said he also will continue the partnerships established by Tanner during the past three years.

In his remarks, Gray thanked Tanner and Rosen for their leadership and commitment to the Navy. He said Tanner has done a few “terrific things” for this community, and he commended Rosen for his leadership in helping Tanner reach his accomplishments. Gray took a minute to note a family’s sacrifice when naval officers are serving their country, and he said they have experienced sleepless nights, anxious moments during deployments, trepidation and long times between telephone calls.

Gray said the local governments and community residents are very patriotic in their support in a changing world.

“I want to recognize the local leadership here. Thanks for your tremendous support of this installation,” Gray said.

“This is a very critical time in our nation. All you have to do is turn on the TV and watch what’s going on in the world. I think everybody realizes that. It’s definitely a dangerous world, and we need to be prepared.”

Gray said NAS Fallon, the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center and the team under Rear Adm. Michael Spencer (NAWDC commander) are at the forefront of the Navy’s training to fight any enemy and to minimize the possibility of attack on the United States.

“All of that begins right here in the high desert of Fallon,” Gray said. “NAWDC is where future success lies.”

Gray commended Tanner and his leadership in NAS Fallon’s support of NAWDC.

“Your leadership has been instrumental in keeping this place on the cutting edge,” Gray said. “I am incredibly proud of you for your dedication and service to your nation.”

Gray also presented Tanner with the Legion of Merit award recognizing his meritorious conduct and outstanding service.

Tanner thanked many community members for their support of his command and the base's operations. He expounded on the mission of NAS Fallon and NAWDC.

“There can be no place of greater importance to naval aviation and naval warfare readiness than where we sit right now in this aircraft carrier strategically beached in the high desert,” Tanner said.

He specifically thanked Cathy Tuni, chairperson of the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe, for her leadership, partnership and mentorship. He said their many conversations focused on the commitment of being good neighbors.

“Our tribal leaders' work has had a professional effect on me personally and professionally,” Tanner said. “There’s a full commitment to preserving our heritage and history.”

He commended the Navy’s work with state and federal agencies on the Fallon Training Range Complex. He also thanked Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo and the congressional delegation of U.S. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen and Rep. Mark Amodei.

During his tenure in Fallon, the Churchill County School District received a Purple Star designation for all of its schools, and Tanner said Oasis Academy has brought the military families closer with its educational programs.

Tanner also joined to the Rotary Club of Fallon and the Knights of Columbus.

In closing his remarks, Tanner thanked his leadership team of his executive officer, Commander John Coombs, and command master chiefs Katherine Knight and now Monica J Kuhl. He recognized his wife Carly and their three daughters, Chloe, Sasha, and Layla, who all graduated from Oasis Academy and are attending Texas A&M University.

Tanner left Haymon with a final thought: “You will love this place as much as I will miss it.”