SAN DIEGO -- Cmdr. Mike Feldhues relieved Cmdr. Kent Davis as commanding officer of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) North Island during a change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California, Dec. 7.
While in command of CNATTU North Island, Davis oversaw complex budget requirements and management. He was responsible for more than 249 personnel in the administration of 105 technical training courses, encompassing 23,652 hours of instruction through the facilitation of 2,149 classes, while serving a student population of over 11,964 and preserving the morale, welfare and quality of instruction at nine maintenance training units (MTU) across three geographically dispersed locations. Moreover, his passionate mentorship yielded 136 master training specialist designations and a perfect score during 2021 Training Management Assessment program inspection. Furthermore, his outstanding leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic set a new standard of excellence in quality instruction and academic support which added to the successful Indian Navy project which convened 19 courses that graduated 68 students.
“My favorite saying is “America and make your best better,” which became our motto here at CNATTU North Island,” Davis said. “We are so well connected and never had a disagreement. You are truly my Maverick and every day that we are together, we grew stronger. I couldn’t ask for a better partner. You made the best time of my life. I will definitely miss our laughs in the office, our walk-arounds at the command and I never met anybody like you. You are a great man and a great American.”
Feldhues had served as the unit’s executive officer since June 2021.
Upon his assumption of duties, Feldhues expressed how humbled and honored he was to have the opportunity to serve as the next commanding officer during the ceremony.
“To Commander Kent Davis, what an incredible 18 months as your executive officer. I know your favorite ship was the USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75), but that is a little inaccurate,” Feldhues said. “Your favorite ship is leadership, mentorship, sponsorship and friendship. Your leadership leaves a legacy in its wake and I will work tirelessly to build on the legacy you built. Thank you for preparing me for this great responsibility. I wish you all the best as you start the next chapter in your life.”
Feldhues also had a message to the CNATTU North Island staff.
“To all of the Sailors, Marines and civilian staff, I am humbled for this opportunity to serve alongside you all and I will continue to provide CNATTU PRIME service without the membership fee to you, your family and the Navy/Marine Corps to ensure all of us and our grandchildren have a life with the Five F’s: A Future with Freedom for our family/friends with Franklins,” Feldhues said. “Unfortunately, that Freedom is not guaranteed. [Former President] Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is only a generation away from extinction, we didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was like in the United States when we were free.”
Feldhues added the charge of protecting that freedom to his staff.
“With the threat of foreign adversaries and the domestic issues we are facing right now our mission at CNATTU is absolutely crucial to guaranteeing that freedom,” Feldhues said. “You ask, 'Well, how do we do that?' It starts right here by teaching and inspiring every Sailor and Marine we have the opportunity to serve with the knowledge, skills and abilities required so when they check in to their next command they are ready do their job, enabling us to insert Naval aviation dominance anywhere, anytime.”
The command also welcomed Cmdr. John Peters as their new executive officer. Peters enlisted in 1992 with multitude of technical, institutional and academic experiences that will add to the exceptional team of CNATTU North Island.
Feldhues’ and Peters’ biographies can be read here:
https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Center-for-Naval-Aviation-Technical-Training/North-Island/Leadership/