Cmdr. John A. Miller relieved Capt. Clayton G. Tettelbach as Commanding Officer of Navy Operational Support Center Whidbey Island (NOSCWI) at a ceremony in Hangar 11 on board Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, April 6.

“It is an honor to accept the position as Commanding Officer for Navy Operational Support Center Whidbey Island,” said Miller. “Nineteen years ago when I worked as a laborer for the construction company that helped build the NOSC Whidbey facility we all work at, not only did I not know what a Navy Reservist was, I certainly could not have predicted that I would be standing up before you today.”

Miller is a native of Oak Harbor, a 1982 graduate from Oak Harbor High School, and a 1989 graduate from Western Washington University. He has flown more than 3,300 hours in military aircraft and has earned numerous designations including P-3C/CP-140 Mission Commander and NATOPS instructor pilot.

Rear Adm. Patrick McGrath, commander Naval Air Forces Reserve was the guest speaker at the ceremony. McGrath thanked both Miller and Tettelbach for their dedicated service and presented Tettelbach with the Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), for his outstanding leadership of NOSC Whidbey.

During his 21 months at the helm of NOSCWI, Tettelbach has been present for increased operational tempo and decreased personnel among the reserve units.  NOSCWI underwent a transition from an Echelon IV to an Echelon V command, with new regional reporting responsibilities.

Under his leadership, the NOSC continued to supply trained and ready Sailors to support the Global War On Terror (GWOT). Since 9/11 NOSCWI has mobilized and augmented 159 Sailors to support GWOT operations, which is over 62 percent of NOSCWI’s total current personnel.

Tettelbach’s next assignment will be to the office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Director Air Warfare.

“I feel especially privileged to follow in the footsteps of Capt. Tettelbach,” said Miller. “Thank you for turning over such and outstanding command.