Change in Command at Naval Base Coronado

Capt. Christopher Sund took over command of Naval Base Coronado from Capt. Gary Mayes at a Change of Command ceremony Friday at Naval Air Station North Island.

“I know you are ready to take command of [Naval Base Coronado],” Mayes said of Sund. “I could not be turning this command over to a more capable and talented officer.”

Sund, a native of Illinois, holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin. From 2006 to 2009, he served as the Executive Office and Commanding Officer of the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123 at Naval Air Station in Norfolk, Va.

“I am keenly aware of the importance and significance of this base,” he said. “Its stewardship by the commanding officer is a great responsibility.”

Sund has served as Naval Base Coronado’s Executive Officer since June 2012.

““Coronado uses the ‘XO/CO Fleet Up’ program,” he said. “I’ve had the benefit of serving as Capt. Mayes’ Executive Officer for a year and half. Now, as the Commanding Officer, I’m already intimately familiar with the base mission to support the Fleet, Fighter, Family.”

In his good-bye speech, Mayes thanked the community, the officers and service members of Naval Base Coronado for their support.

“I would like to recognize … both Mayor [Casey] Tanaka, city of Coronado, and Mayor [Jim] Janney, city of Imperial Beach, for how much they’ve support the Navy and how much they’ve given to Navy community as we are part of their community too,” he said.

Mayes is leaving for Washington D.C. where he will serve as the Deputy Director of Plans and Programs for the Navy.

“We’re really going to miss Capt. Mayes,” Tanaka said. “He’s been a really wonderful partner for our community.”

Naval Base Coronado is a consortium of eight Navy installations: Naval Air Station North Island; Naval Amphibious Base Coronado; Navy Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island; Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach; Silver Strand Training Complex; Remote Training Site Warner Springs; Camp Michael Monsoor and Camp Morena.