Export native retires after Naval Air Force Atlantic command

Patrick Varine
Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023 12:01 a.m. | Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023 12:01 a.m.

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U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mo Bourdi

Export native Rear Adm. John Meier, the outgoing commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic, passes through “sideboys” for the final time with his wife Rachel during a change of command ceremony on Aug. 17 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mo Bourdi

Export native Rear Adm. John Meier, the outgoing commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic, salutes during a change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Meier retired from the Navy after 37 years of service.

During his time commanding the Naval Air Force Atlantic, Export native Rear Adm. John Meier helped to ensure the highest state of readiness in the U.S. Navy.

Meier graduated from the U.S. Navy Academy in 1986, and was winged as a naval aviator in 1988. According to his official biography, Meier has participated in operations around the world since Operation Desert Storm, led Southern Partnership Station, and built the crew and culture of the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford — which in 2016 was the Navy’s newest warship — as the aircraft carrier’s first commanding officer.

“You can simply boil down what we do as commanders in the Navy into two categories: it’s the ‘stuff’ — billions of dollars of material — and it’s the people,” Meier said. “And then it’s how we put those together to train and develop a war-fighting ethos and a capability.”

An Aug. 17 ceremony aboard the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier, where Meier handed over command to Rear Adm. Douglas Verissimo, also marked the end of Meier’s time in the Navy as he retires after 37 years of service.

During his time at the helm of Naval Air Force Atlantic, Meier established the Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Handling University program, to provide hands-on training to sailors in an effort to prevent aviation mishaps while moving aircraft on the flight line. He also created a Safety Training Team to observe, understand and solve potential risk factors in naval aviation. He further developed the Maintenance Operation Center, which has produced the Navy’s highest aircraft readiness rates in recent history. In honor of his efforts, the center was renamed as the RADM John “Oscar” Meier Maintenance Operation Center in July 2023.

“I can truly say that this is the best two star job in the Navy,” said Meier, who during his career oversaw the development and training of seven aircraft carriers, five carrier air wings, and four type wings.

Admiral Daryl Caudle, head of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, thanked Meier for his service.

“You leave behind a remarkable legacy of operational excellence, unmatched vision and sage counsel, all of which the Navy and (Naval Air Force Atlantic) will fundamentally and substantially benefit for years to come,” Caudle said.