Last modified Wed., July 18, 2007 - 04:55 PM
Originally created Thursday, July 19, 2007

NAS Jacksonville welcomes new XO

By Kaylee LaRocque, Editor

Photo by Kaylee LaRocque Capt. Steve Holmes recently took over as the new executive officer of NAS Jax.

Capt. Steve Holmes has reported to NAS Jackson-ville as the new executive officer (XO) and says he's looking forward to the challenges of his new role here. "I'm excited to be here. As an aviator, my past tours were aviation specific. This job is a whole new business to me, which makes me a bit nervous but I realize this staff is full of experts. My job here is really to manage more than to be a subject matter expert like I was in my squadrons," said Holmes. "I am looking forward to this tour. It's part of my personal professional growth."

"I think first and foremost, as any XO would tell you, my role here is to support the commanding officer and carry out the mission of the base. But I really suspect it's more of a managerial and coordination function because there are so many moving parts aboard this installation," he continued. "I will rely on the experts because I recognize that I don't know everything so I will trust the people who do know to guide me."

Holmes, a native of Chesapeake, Va., is a 1985 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He completed his initial flight training and received his naval aviator's wings in February 1987. After fleet replacement pilot training in the SH-3H Sea King aircraft at HS-1 at NAS Jax, Holmes reported to HS-7 in August 1987. During this tour, he deployed on board USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) to the Mediterranean Sea as a part of Carrier Air Wing Three.

From April 1990 through October 1992, Holmes was attached to the staff of Helicopter Antisubmarine Wing One as the training officer. After completing Aviation Safety Officer School, Holmes served on the staff of Carrier Air Wing One from December 1992 until December 1994 as the ASW officer, combat search and rescue officer, and safety officer. This tour took him on board USS America (CV 66) to the Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea and Indian Ocean.

In December 1994, Holmes served as an instructor pilot and training officer at HS-1. In January 1997, he reported to HS-3 at NAS Jacksonville serving as the safety officer, operations officer and maintenance officer. During this tour, HS-3 deployed on board USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) to the Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea and Indian Ocean as part of Carrier Air Wing Eight.

After his department head tour at HS-3, Holmes reported to the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. and graduated from the College of Naval Command and Staff in March 2000 with a Masters of Arts in national security and strategic studies. He then transferred to a joint billet as the United States Space Command's liaison officer to the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, later renamed the Missile Defense Agency, in Washington, D.C.

In October 2002, he reported to HS-3 as executive officer deploying on board USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as commanding officer from Feb. 12, 2004 to April 21, 2005.