NETSAFA Holds Change of Command

Photo By Dustin Gautney | 190809-N-LF437-1045 PENSACOLA, Fla. (August 8, 2019) Capt. (ret.) Mark Truluck is piped ashore as part of a combined change of command and retirement ceremony held at the U.S. Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, Aug. 9. Truluck relinquished command of the Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity to incoming commander, Capt. David W. Stallworth, and retired after 30 years of service. (U.S. Navy photo by Dustin Gautney/Released)  

PENSACOLA, FL, UNITED STATES

08.09.2019

Story by Dustin Gautney 

Naval Education and Training Command

By Dustin Gautney, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Capt. David W. Stallworth relieved Capt. Mark Truluck as commanding officer of Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA) during a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola Aug. 9.

While leading NETSAFA, Truluck continuously reshaped his command for the constantly changing international education and training landscape. Under his leadership, NETSAFA supported the training of 25,000 international students from over 160 countries.

“It has been an honor to lead this organization,” said Truluck. “It is the truly hardworking professionals who make up the NETSAFA team that makes this organization what it is.”

Truluck also retired during the ceremony after 30 years of service.

“A lot of people ask how you can serve 30 years. And the answer is really a credit to the great support from the community around you; family, friends and co-workers that truly believe what our nation stands for,” said Truluck.

A native of Hall County, Georgia, Truluck graduated from North Georgia College and he was commissioned through Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1989. As a naval aviator, he accumulated more than 4,700 flight hours during several tours with Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 3 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS Enterprise (CVN 65), and with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). As commanding officer of HS-3, Truluck's squadron was awarded the Naval Air Forces Battle "E", Safety "S" and Capt. Arnold Jay Isbell Trophy for Antisubmarine Warfare Excellence. He also commanded Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HS) 7 in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

His shore tours have included Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 1, the Seahawk Weapons and Tactics School at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, Navy Personnel Command, and U.S. Special Operations Command. He earned a master's degree in public administration from Auburn University and is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College and the Joint Forces Staff College.

Upon relieving Truluck, Stallworth became the 15th commanding officer of NETSAFA.

“I look forward to the NETSAFA mission. During my short time here, I have already been able to see the pride, importance and the impact of the mission and look forward to being part of the continued growth of the command,” said Stallworth.

A native of Summerdale, Alabama, Stallworth graduated from Florida State University in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a master’s degree in Education in 1994. He was commissioned through Officer Candidate School at Naval Air Station Pensacola and, after completing primary flight training was designated a naval aviator in 1997. He holds a second master’s degree in Military Operational Art and Science through the Air Command and Staff College.

Stallworth’s follow-on tours include Carrier Strike Group 2 as air operations officer and current operations officer; Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division as the Test and Evaluation Aviation Unit officer in charge and then executive officer. Stallworth additionally led a Forward Deployed Naval Forces unit located in Sasebo, Japan, as a volunteer to fill the gapped billet of the deputy commodore for a 12-month unaccompanied tour. There, he assisted in managing operations for surface, air, and explosive ordnance disposal mine countermeasures assets in the Pacific area of responsibility, as well as immediate superior in command duties for four western Pacific, forward-deployed mine warfare ships.

NETSAFA is the U.S. Navy's agent for international education and training, coordinating training support to international governments and international organizations. As a field activity of Naval Education and Training Command (NETC,) the command serves as a focal point for all security assistance training program issues, coordination and advice within the U.S. Navy.

For more information about NETSAFA, visit https://www.netsafa.navy.mil/.

For additional information on NETC, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cnet/ or http://www.facebook.com/netcpao.

• Date Taken: 08.09.2019
• Date Posted: 08.13.2019 07:24
• Story ID: 335623
• Location: PENSACOLA, FL, US