Rear Adm. Daniel L. Kloeppel will relieve Rear Adm. Timothy R. Beard as commander, Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at Naval Air Station, Fallon. The Change of Command Ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. June 30.
Beard assumed command of the center in July 1998. During his tenure as commander, the center has successfully managed 11 air wing training deployments and multiple training courses for more than 12,000 officer graduates. Beard will retire from the Navy on June 30.
Kloeppel will be reporting from a tour as the deputy commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He has extensive Navy experience covering 30 years. A member of the Naval Reserve, he is employed by Trans World Airlines and is presently flying as captain on Boeing MD 80 aircraft.
In September, Rear Adm. Richard J. Naughton will relieve Kloeppel as commander, Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center. He is currently serving as commander, Carrier Group Four/commander, Carrier Striking Force.
The Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center is the primary authority for U. S. Navy advanced aviation training and tactics development.
The center provides service to air crews, squadrons and air wings throughout the Navy and Marine Corps in flight training, academic classes and operational and intelligence support.
The Command includes more than 130 officers, 250 enlisted personnel and 500 contract peoplel. It operates F/A-18 Hornets, F-15 Tomcats and SH-60F Seahawk helicopters.