The Patrol Squadron (VP) 69 “Totems”, held a traditional change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Sept. 6. Cmdr. James Nelson assumed the role of VP-69 commanding officer from Cmdr. Scott Jones.

The event was presided over by Rear Adm. Jeffrey Lemmons, Reserve Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration of Capabilities and Resources, and Capt. Ken Seliga, commodore of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10

“I want to commend you on your ability to grasp change and embrace it as a means to shape the future. No one likes change, it’s hard to do, but you have done exceedingly well. Jones, my hat’s off to you, you saw the vision, you grabbed it, you ran with it, and you did it really well,” said Lemmons.

Jones, from Sacramento, Calif. served six years as an enlisted electronics warfare technician before receiving his degree of a bachelor degree in business administration from National University in 1987. He received his commission upon completion of Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1988.

He departed active duty for the reserves in 1995. Upon relief, Jones will report to the National War College in Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

“The Navy Reserves are only as strong or weak as you in uniform in this audience,” said Jones. “My challenge to you is to feel the legacy of the organization that you are a part of. It’s greater than any one of us alone.”

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as your twenty-eighth commanding officer. I’ll never forget a one of you, as you are all permanently etched in my heart; and for that, I am the most fortunate Sailor in this hangar,” added Jones.

Seliga reflected back upon his assuming command, his first impressions of Jones, and the success that followed for VP-69 under Jones’ tutelage.

“Almost immediately (upon meeting), I noted Skipper Jones to be an action-oriented, people-first leader who has the innate ability to set clear expectations while keeping mission-focus at the forefront of his squadron’s priorities,” said Seliga. “

Under Jones’ leadership, every VP-69 air crewman passed the testing phase of the Fleet Naval Aviation Training and Operating Procedures Standardization evaluation; his squadron received first in the Annual Wing 10 Anti-submarine Warfare Competition for 2008; and performed proficiently in the 2008 annual Rim of the Pacific exercise.

Nelson is from Shell, Wyo., and holds a bachelor degree political science from the U.S. Naval Academy. He was commissioned in 1990. He crossed over from active duty to reserve status in 1999.

“I am honored to serve in this capacity in a military system that has never been about conquest and exploitation, but has been characterized by defending liberty and promoting freedom to people who would have never known these privileges otherwise,” said Nelson.