Commanding Officer, R. B. De Jesus, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Whidbey Island, Wash., presided over the retirement of Aviation Structural Mechanic First Class Michael D. Jones on Sept. 24.

Jones graduated Wichita High School South in Wichita, Kans. He joined the Navy and reported for basic training in Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 18, 1984.

Upon completing boot camp, AMHAR Jones attended AMH “A” school in Millington, Tenn. He received orders to PATRON 31 (VP-31) in Moffett Field, Calif., and while there, was promoted to Aviation Structural Mechanic Hydraulics Third Class.

In January 1989, he was transferred to PATRON 47 at Moffett Field, Calif.

He was promoted to Aviation Structural Mechanic Hydraulics Second Class and served as a Flight Engineer Apprentice and Leading Petty Officer of the Line division.

AMH2 Jones was assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 San Diego, Calif., in June 1992. He worked as production crew leader in the airframes work center and Leading Petty Officer of the Corrosion Control Branch. Petty Officer Jones earned his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) and received his first taste of the flight deck as a Final Checker and Flight Deck Coordinator inspecting the C-2 Greyhound before its catapult from the flight deck of the USS Constellation and USS Kitty Hawk.

In July 1995, he received orders to HC-11 San Diego. While serving in HC-11, he stood up a new Plane Captain division leading 30 CH-46 Helicopter plane captains and earned his first Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal for training 16 newly qualified Plane Captains.

He reported aboard VQ-1 World Watchers at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., in January 1998. He was promoted to First Class Petty Officer and earned his second Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal as Leading Petty Officer of the Corrosion Control/Phase work center, coordinating numerous Phase Maintenance Cycles.

In February 2001, he reported to NAMTRAU, now known as CNATT Unit Whidbey Island, and assumed duties as Instructor for the P-3 Structures and Hydraulic Flight Controls course. He was designated a Master Training Specialist this April.

His awards include the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Good Conduct Medal (five awards), as well as numerous other commendations.

Jones and his wife Diana have a son, Peyton Michael.

As he leaves CNATT Unit Whidbey Island to rejoin his family in San Diego, the staff wishes Jones all the best in the future.