Harris relieves Bynum as CNATRA

The Naval Air Training Command is holding a change of command ceremony aboard USS Lexington Museum on the Bay July 12, beginning at 9 a.m.

Rear Adm. Gregory Harris is relieving Rear Adm. James Bynum as the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) aboard USS Lexington.

The Naval Air Training Command conducts and oversees all pilot and naval flight officer training for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and international partners throughout five training air wings located in three states. It also oversees the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.

Bynum, a 1985 graduate of the University of Oklahoma, was designated a naval aviator in December 1986 and has served both on shore and at sea, most recently as Commander, Carrier Strike Group 9 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt.

Bynum has served as CNATRA since June 2017 and will now join the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Director, Assessment Division (OPNAV N81).

Rear Adm. Harris is a 1987 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, was designated a naval flight officer in 1989 and subsequently a naval aviator in 1993.

Harris has flown missions in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Most recently, he served as the commander of Carrier Strike Group 11. 

The guest speaker for the ceremony is Vice Adm. DeWolfe Miller, Commander,Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Vice Adm. Miller is responsible for all United States Navy aviation units and is headquartered onboard NAS North Island in Coronado, Calif.