NAS JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In a historic day at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the Commander of the Navy’s southeast region handed over the reins Thursday to her successor -- another woman.
After two and a half years, Rear Adm. Mary Jackson passed on her responsibilities to Rear Adm. Babette Bolivar in a change of command ceremony.
Now Bolivar will be at the helm of 18 naval installations, a position historically uncommon for women.
"You'd be surprised, it happens more and more these days,” Jackson said. "It's humbling because it's the team that's done the hard work here. I just get the fortune of being able to represent them."
Jackson said she's most proud of creating partnerships between NAS Jax and the veterans as well as the community as a whole.
"I have some big shoes to fill,” Bolivar said. “Admiral Jackson has done an outstanding job with Team Southeast, so I'm excited about joining the team."
This will be Bolivar's third regional command, and she was inducted into the Women Divers Hall of Fame. She said her past leadership roles have prepared her for this new challenge.
"There's always room for improvement, and we're going to keep going until we're effective and efficient and doing it the best we can,” Bolivar said.
Thursday's ceremony was emotional as both women read their orders, taking on new roles.
Jackson has been promoted to Commander of Navy Installations Command in Washington, D.C. She said she will miss the people and the weather in Jacksonville but is excited about starting her new role.
The ceremony was special for Bolivar and Jackson, because they previously served together for 10 years and plan to continue their friendship, they said.