CNRSE visits base, awards Sailors

Rear ADM. Gary Mayes made his first official visit to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi (NASCC) as commander of Naval Region Southeast, June 17. Mayes assumed command as the 41st commander of Navy Region Southeast in February.

Mayes, who manages and oversees shore installation management support and execution for 17 installations within the Southeastern United States, met with base leaders, toured various facilities throughout the installation and held an all-hands call for NASCC personnel.

Following an inbrief with NASCC staff, Mayes departed for a tour of base facilities led by NASCC Commanding Officer Capt. Philip Brock and NASCC Command Master Chief CMDCM Greg Williams. Among the places that Mayes toured were the Child Development Center, Youth Center, base fitness center, the Fleet and Family Support Center, and the Unaccompanied Housing areas.

Mayes also met with Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) leaders to learn about some of the projects they are undertaking, and was able tour one of the many Public Private Venture (PPV) housing units available to base personnel and their families.

Immediately following the tour, Mayes held an all-hands call at the Catalina Club for NASCC Sailors and civilians, where he praised them for their hard work and dedication to the base mission, and also took the time to answer any questions or concerns.

During the all-hands call, Mayes recognized two Sailors attached to the NASCC Security department for their actions during an unauthorized base access incident that occurred in February.

Mayes presented both MA1 Calvin Johns and MA2 Toucheleak Mael with the Navy Commendation Medal for their rapid response efforts after a suspect unlawfully entered the installation, thus neutralizing the threat and preventing loss of life or damage to base facilities.

Mayes, who completed primary flight training here at NAS Corpus Christi early in his career, flew the SH-60 Seahawk during operations in Haiti, South America and the Persian Gulf among others has accumulated over 3,300 flight hours in fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

He has also served as commanding officer of Naval Base Coronado; commanding officer of Helicoptor Anti-Submerine Squadron Light (HSL) 44; deputy director, Plans and Programs for Commander, Navy Installations Command; commander, Navy Region Northwest; and served on the staff of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics.

Mayes is scheduled to be on hand for the NASCC change of command ceremony in late July.