In a dignified, patriotic ceremony last Friday in Hanger 7 at NAS Fallon among friends, service members, and the community, Captain Shane Tanner took command of what he referred to as “the aircraft carrier strategically beached in the desert.”
Relieving Captain Evan Morrison, who culminated his 36-year military career on Friday, Tanner said, “I am honored to take command of this base. With war drums beating in Europe and the rhetoric increasing in the Western Pacific, there can be no better place of relevance in naval aviation and naval warfighting readiness than where we sit right now.”
Commander of Navy Region Southwest, Rear Admiral Stephen D. Barnett was on hand to pass the torch from Morrison to Tanner. Introducing Barnett, Morrison said, “he is the type of person I would follow anywhere, in any job, in any capacity.”
Barnett talked about the importance of the support successful leaders receive from their team and their family. “At home, we have a support system, too.” He recognized each of Morrison’s and Tanner’s family members sitting on the front row at the ceremony. “You may not wear the uniform, but you deploy just like we do, so thank you for all you do.”
Recognizing Morrison’s leadership during his three years in Fallon, Barnett said Morrison oversaw more than 46,000 multiservice and multinational personnel, bringing with them, 16 air wings, 22 strike fighter programs, and 32 unit-level detachments. He also orchestrated over $46 million in construction projects including runways, taxiways, and base infrastructure, along with leading the Longhorn SAR team, coordinating 20 searches with 10 rescues, and saving eight lives.
“We’re also going to retire Sheik, (Morrison’s call sign) and his mustache, and celebrate a life of service to his country and his mission,” said Barnett.
Barnett walked down memory lane, beginning with 1986 when Morrison joined the military, noting gas prices, parachute pants, and the famous movie at the time, “Top Gun.” He said twenty years ago Morrison served in Fallon, living in a house on the Fernley golf course – and now, coming full circle, he lives in Fernley on the golf course.
Taking the podium, Morrison said he was 17 years old when he first put on the uniform. “Honestly my first 72 hours in Air Force basic training, I truly thought I had made one of the biggest mistakes of my life, let alone thinking I would be here, wearing the uniform 36 years later. It’s been all I’ve known my entire adult life and I thank God for the privilege of serving this long.”
Reflecting on his career Morrison expressed gratitude for the men and women who came before him, those who served with him, and those who take the oath to serve in the future. “I did not get to where I am today because of myself, far from it, but because of the support and love of the people around me my entire career.”
Taking command of NAS Fallon, Tanner recognized local partners, Mayor Ken Tedford and the City of Fallon, Commissioners Greg Koenig and Pete Olsen with Churchill County, Amber Torres and Cathi Tuni Chairwomen of the Walker River Paiute Tribe and Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, respectively. “I look forward to working with you and our community partners as we look for more opportunities to engage with each other, together. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity in some small way to contribute to and share in the wonderful sense of community we have here, in Northern Nevada.”
Tanner said he looks forward to continuing the critical mission to build, strengthen, and fortify the capacity to generate leading-edge combat power. He also is looking forward to partnering with the City of Fallon and Churchill County to strengthen relationships and bonds within the community. “NAS Fallon remains a steadfast partner, for a strong, healthy civilian and military community underpins everything we do here at the base,” he said.
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