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NAS Lemoore changes command

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Written by Tamara Runzel

Friday, 26 September 2008

The Commanding Officer of NAS Lemoore, Capt. Ronald Townsend, handed over duties to Capt. James Knapp today. During an interview with the Lemoore base newspaper, Townsend reflected back on his three years as CO of NAS Lemoore. He first served in Lemoore in 1988. He also spent time as a test pilot at Patuxent River, served at the U.S. Special Operations Command, as a Navigator on the USS Enterprise and as an Operations Officer with Carrier Strike Group Four. Townsend has seen many projects completed as CO of the base. Nearly a billion dollars has been invested here over the last eight to ten years. “We finished several projects during my tour, including completing our new family housing which has directly impacted quality of life for many of our families,” Townsend says. Other projects include major security upgrades, a new control tower and radar room and modernization of three of six hangars. “Though it has been transparent to most folks and should be, we have also invested a lot in our below-ground infrastructure; our water plant and our utility distribution systems.  We still have a lot of work to complete on those, but we’ve lined up investments for the next three to five years,” Townsend points out. Townsend says one of his major goals as CO at NAS Lemoore has always been supporting the fleet and FRS squadrons and providing for their families. “It has been often challenging to find the right balance of priorities and resources, but I hope everything we have done has been done with the right intentions of supporting the fleet,” he says. Townsend says his other major goal was recognizing the great “strategic advantages” at Lemoore. “Coming into command, I was committed to supporting a constructive dialogue of engagement with the leadership on base.  We have always had in Lemoore a culture of collaborative, engaged and cooperative leadership between the base, the wing, the CAGs, the squadrons and the other organizations on base,” Townsend explains. “That climate of sincere mutual respect and teamwork has been one of the most important elements of our success here in Lemoore and one that has certainly benefited me.  I have been extremely fortunate to be able to work with such a great circle of O-6 and CO/XO/CMC leadership; heroes and people I truly admire.” Townsend says while a lot was accomplished during his tour, it is hard to do everything because of cost constraints. “We’ve had to make some difficult decisions about priorities.  Fortunately, I have had a great staff to study the issues and establish priorities, like CDR Mark Edelson (my PWO) and Ms. Dee Richards, my N9 who manages all of our quality of life programs. Their commitment and accomplishments have been incredible,” Townsend says. Some of the projects that are lined up in the future include a new running track and synthetic field and a modernization of the Ops Galley. Townsend says he is hoping the base can also continue to improve options for single Sailors. Another goal is encouraging more people to choose Lemoore. “I think all of us in leadership would like to see more success in marketing Lemoore as a base of choice for PCS orders.  Most folks who execute tours in Lemoore like it and many want to stay, especially families.  It would be nice to be able to influence the paradigms about Lemoore positively across the Navy,” he says. Townsend and his wife Renee will spend the next year in Washington in a training track and learning Spanish. That is in preparation for his next assignment. In 2010, he will report as the Defense Attaché at the American Embassy in Santiago, Chile. “We are looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity.  We have never done an overseas tour and look forward to immersion in the Chilean culture,” Townsend says. Townsend says he and his wife won’t forget their time in Lemoore. Living here, they have had a chance to hike Half Dome and Cloud’s Rest in Yosemite and taken many ski trips to Sierra Summit, Mammoth and Tahoe. Townsend says although they are excited for new adventures, they are also sad to leave the area. “We will miss both the California lifestyle and the supportive and patriotic communities of Lemoore and Hanford.  The flying has been great, too, thanks to the professionals at VFA-122 and VFA-125 who have been kind to me.  This is the best flying in the world, and I will miss it a lot when I leave,” Townsend says. “This has been a great tour for Renee and me.  It has been a privilege to work alongside such talented and committed people.  Lemoore will always be a special place to us.”

 

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