Change of Command : Point Mugu Naval Center’s New Leader Says Further Consolidations Are Possible

Rear Adm. Dana B. McKinney took command of the Naval Air Weapons Center at Point Mugu during formal ceremonies Tuesday that were hastily moved indoors to avoid a drenching rainstorm that hit the county.

With exacting military precision, the time-honored Navy change-of-command ritual played out before about 700 civilians and military personnel, complete with military band, color guard and cannon salute. The ceremonies were held inside an F-14 Tomcat fighter jet hangar adjacent to the Navy base’s main runway.

Throughout the event, cold winds cut through the hangar, and the sounds of landing and departing military aircraft punctuated speeches. Eventually, the hangar’s huge metal doors were closed to block out the wind.

McKinney, 46, told the assembled crowd, many of whom flew in from Point Mugu’s sister facility at China Lake near Ridgecrest, that he believes that the weapons test facilities are both “unique and irreplaceable.” Yet he warned that further consolidations and cutbacks may occur, although he has not be informed of any impending budget reductions or other changes.

Still, McKinney said he understood the anxiety rippling through the ranks at Point Mugu.

“It’s understandable to fear change that’s unknown or uncontrollable,” McKinney said.

He said he sympathized with military personnel who are concerned about military cutbacks affecting their jobs and their co-workers. “These are fundamental and emotional issues,” McKinney said. But “the first step to reduce this fear is to recognize that change is coming. As I see things, our choices are simple: We can fight change and lose, or seize it and shape the future. I intend that we will seize it.”

During the hourlong ceremony, outgoing Rear Adm. William E. Newman was honored by the presence of two of his Washington-based superiors, Rear Adm. George Strohsahl, a former Point Mugu commanding officer, and Vice Adm. William C. Bowes.

Bowes, who heads the Naval Air Systems Command, the parent group of Navy weapons testing facilities, presented Newman with the Navy’s Legion of Merit medal for his work in consolidating the administration of the Navy’s weapons test facilities at Point Mugu, China Lake and two New Mexico installations under one command. Navy officials estimate that the consolidation will save an estimated $115 million by 1995.

For his part, Newman, 53, who has been assigned to the Naval Air Systems Command in Washington, said his tenure at the sprawling base was both “challenging and memorable.” He lauded the 11,000 military and civilian employees at Point Mugu and China Lake.

“I’m confident that the vast majority of you believe that creating the weapons division--in merging our separate activities, directorates and departments--resulted in an integrated ‘alloy’ that is stronger and better than the individual parts ever were.”

Newman called McKinney, the Navy’s manager of the A-6 Intruder and AE-6B Prowler retrofit program, a perfect officer to command Point Mugu and China Lake. “He has been a major customer of the weapons division at both sites,” Newman said. “He brings fresh ideas and a current program manager’s perspective.”

Joining McKinney during the ceremony was his wife, Anne, a Navy lieutenant commander.

“Dana is really excited about this command,” said Anne McKinney, who early next year will be promoted to executive officer at a Navy communications station in London. “I couldn’t be more happy for him, and I know that he will be great at this job.”

After the admiral’s speeches were over, the actual change of command was completed in about a minute, with Newman reading his orders and McKinney standing before him saying simply, “I relieve you, sir.”

The ceremony concluded with a benediction from the base chaplain and the firing of cannons as the officers withdrew from the stage, traversing through a gauntlet of saluting sailors standing at attention.