NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, Calif. - Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF)
held a change of command and promotion ceremony at the command’s auditorium onboard
Naval Air Station North Island, Feb. 2.
Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, presided over the ceremony as Vice
Adm. Douglas “V8” Verissimo assumed duties as commander, Naval Air Forces and
commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. During the ceremony, Verissimo was also
promoted to vice admiral.
Verissimo relieved Vice Adm. Daniel “Undra” Cheever, who assumed command of Naval
Air Forces on Jan. 31, 2024. To ensure continuity of command, Adm. Koehler briefly
transferred commander, Naval Air Forces responsibilities to Rear Adm. Richard T. Brophy
and commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet responsibilities to Rear Adm. John D.
Saccomando prior to Verissimo’s assumption of command.
"These three things are my initial focus areas: world-class maintainers, world-class aircrew,
and the readiness of our equipment,” said Verissimo, in his first address to his command.
“Don’t slip where we are good and keep getting real and getting better in areas where we
must improve.”
Commander, Naval Air Force is dual-hatted as commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific
Fleet and is the lead type command for Naval Aviation. In this role, the commander is known
as the “Air Boss.” Verissimo is the 11th Air Boss.
CNAF is responsible for manning, training and equipping combat-ready Naval Aviation
forces in support of fleet and combatant commander requirements across the globe.
"The job of CNAF and AIRPAC never stops. It never sleeps," said Koehler. "At any time, we
have to be ready to send forces and combat-capable aircrews, airplanes and all of the things
that go along with that into combat to fight and win."
The mission of commander, Naval Air Forces is to deliver combat-ready Naval Air Forces
that win. This mission is enabled by leaders at every level who support high-end training,
ensure safe operations and prioritize the professional and personal well-being of Sailors.
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