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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC) conducted a change of command ceremony Jan. 24 in Jacksonville. During the time-honored tradition, Cmdr. John Haesler was relieved by Cmdr. Robert Hale.
Rear Adm. Roy Kelley, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (CNAL) presided over the ceremony held on board Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
During his tenure, Haesler spearheaded FACSFAC’s support to United States Fleet Forces Command, Naval Air Forces Atlantic, numerous Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Groups, and other joint military and Fleet customers with myriad technologic training requirements. Most notably were FACSFAC’s contribution to Live, Virtual, Constructive (LVC) training initiatives which merges live and virtual capbilities to build a robust training environment. LVC provides a realistic training envirnoment that replicates the high end fight, and prepares maritime forces for 21st century warfare.
“I could not be more proud of our team and their efforts to make Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility Jacksonville better, our Navy and Joint Force range users more lethal, and our country stronger,” said Haesler.
As commanding officer of FACSFAC and the Pinecastle Range Complex, he led 30 NASA and commercial rocket launches, 21 joint military and fleet combat training exercises all while empowering his Sailors, which resulted in the command winning the Retention Excellence Award.
Haesler praised his entire command for their tireless efforts and support for leading 99 military, civilian, contract personnel assigned to FACSFAC Jacksonville and the Pinecastle Range Complex.
“Our team of Sailors, civilians, and contractors have achieved incredible success, supporting our multi-service range users safely and effectively. All the while, successfully balancing mission with taking care of people and self,” said Haesler. “As I turnover to Skipper Hale, I do so filled with tremendous pride for what the men and women of Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility Jacksonville have accomplished.”
Haesler, who is from Little Rock, Ark, received his commission in 2000 from Officer Candidate School at Naval Air Station Pensocola, Fla. In 2002, Haesler received his Naval Aviator wings as a Naval Flight Officer at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
Hale, an Arlington, Va. native, graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 2001. He was designated as a Naval Aviator in 2003 after flight training in Pensacola, Fla. Hale was assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 15 (HS-15), Carrier Strike Group ONE (CSG-1), Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 10 (HS-10) and the Pentagon before reporting to FACSFAC.
“Skipper Haesler has done an outstanding job setting this command up for continued success this upcoming year,” said Hale. “I am excited to take command of this exceptional team that punches way above of its weight class as we continue to enhance our operational support capabilities. Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility Jacksonville will continue to execute our mission supporting Fleet readiness and the warfighter for today’s fight, and tomorrow’s.”
FACSFAC’s mission is to provide preeminent control, coordination and management of Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility Jacksonville's airspace, sea space and sub-sea space to our nation's militaries, agencies and civilian users.
| Date Taken: | 01.24.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 01.31.2020 12:10 |
| Story ID: | 361307 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 283 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, FACSFAC JAX Welcomes New Commander, by CDR Jennifer Cragg, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
