Gammache To Assume Command of NAS Whidbey Island

Capt. Eric Hanks, Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, will turn over command of the air station to Capt. Nathan Gammache during a change of command ceremony on Aug. 15, 2024. 
 
The change of command ceremony will be held at 10 a.m., in an indoor maintenance facility on the flightline. Guest speaker and Presiding Officer for the event is Rear Adm. Mark Sucato, Commander Navy Region Northwest.
 
During Hanks’ tenure, he spearheaded collaboration between Department of Defense activities, state agencies and local organizations, and community leaders to identify innovative solutions in Washington State for spouse licensing, spouse employment, access to childcare, and expanded access to health care for Sailors and families.
 
Hanks was also instrumental in reigniting community outreach activities following the COVID 19 pandemic, expanding many outreach efforts with elected officials, local tribes, civic organizations and other members of the public on major issues impacting the air station and surrounding communities.
 
Under his leadership and vision, the base successfully responded to challenges that included increasing national defense operational commitments, military construction projects, environmental programs, and quality of life for both military and civilian communities. His efforts ensured on time deployments and met the Navy's world-wide mission in support of national interests.
   
Hanks is retiring from the U.S. Navy after 27 years of naval service and will reside in the local area.
 
Gammache enlisted in the Navy as an undesignated Seaman Recruit reaching the rank of Petty Officer Third Class before being selected for the Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Systems Engineering. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, a Certificate in Anti-Submarine Warfare from the Naval Postgraduate School, and is a graduate of the US Air Force’s Air University Command and Staff College. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 2002 and is also a qualified Navy Scuba Diver.
 
No stranger to NAS Whidbey Island, his first flying tour was with Patrol Squadron Forty (VP-40) here. Subsequent assignments include worldwide deployments across operational tours as Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Department Head with Patrol Squadron Five (VP-5) and Commanding Officer of the “Golden Swordsmen” of Patrol Squadron Forty-Seven (VP-47), his second assignment at NAS Whidbey Island.
 
His staff assignments include Weapons and Tactics Instructor at the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School, Congressional Appropriations Liaison for Naval Aviation Programs (FMBE), Assistant Program Manager for Logistics at the P-8 program office (PMA-290), Director for Legislative Affairs on the National Security Council staff at the White House, Secretary of Defense Executive Fellow at Apple, Inc., and most recently as the Director’s Action Group Lead at the Defense Innovation Unit in Silicon Valley.
 
Gammache will assume command of the Navy’s sole air station in the Pacific Northwest. The installation employs over 9,000 active duty military and over 2,400 Department of Defense civilians and contract employees. The annual economic impact the base brings to Island County and surrounding communities exceeds $1billion.
 
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