New commanding officer takes charge at NAS Jacksonville

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U.S. Navy Capt. Jeffrey Maclay took over as Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Jacksonville on Thursday from Capt. Jack Scorby.

Scorby’s next duty station is the Pentagon, where he will serve as Executive Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations, Energy and Environment.

Maclay, 45, has been Executive Officer at NAS Jacksonville since July.

In taking the command, Maclay effectively became CEO of the area’s largest company.

NAS Jacksonville reports an area economic impact of $2.1 billion. It is the city’s largest employer, with 25,500 people on a $1.28 billion payroll, and it occupies almost 4,000 acres at 6801 Roosevelt Blvd., along the St. Johns and Ortega rivers.

NAS Jacksonville was commissioned 70 years ago. Maclay is the 43rd commanding officer.

A native of New Bedford, Mass., Maclay graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.

He later graduated from the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., and at the same time attended Auburn University, earning a master’s degree in political science.

Maclay has more than 3,800 flight hours during six deployments. His fleet assignments included tours in Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 2 twice and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 14.

He was executive officer aboard HS-2 while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His squadron earned awards of war-fighting excellence.

His numerous other awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and three Meritorious Service Medals.

In an interview Monday with the Daily Record, Maclay talked about his new position.

What are your plans and goals for NAS Jacksonville?

NAS Jacksonville has finished up an award-winning year. My plans are to see how the base operates and learn the ropes and I am going to continue on with the support for the fleet, fighters and the families and the mission. I will keep the base moving in the fine fashion that it has been.

How did your background prepare you for the position?

Throughout your career in the Navy, you are given a chance to lead at several different levels. The leader’s job is to set the conditions for success and for whatever level you are at, you understand what those conditions are and do the best you can. I couldn’t point to a definitive development. I can point to a process that sets the condition of success.

How involved are you in the Jacksonville community?

I am very involved as Executive Officer. I am an advisory member on several advisory boards of different institutions and charities. I have two children in schools — one in Duval County’s system and one in the private system. My wife is a pharmacist in Orange Park. I am very involved. We immediately fell in love with the city when we first got here and are thankful to everybody and the opportunity. This is my first tour in Jacksonville.

You have two sons. What are their goals?

They like sports and getting good grades because that is what Dad said. Their long-term plans are what’s for dinner.

How has the Navy changed during your career?

There is a greater emphasis on partnering and a cooperation and relationship with other allies, strategic partners, to maintain the stability and free transit of the waterways.

What advice do you have for new and aspiring Navy men and women?

I would say we welcome you and be prepared. Ordinary people working toward a common goal can do extraordinary things. They would be amazed at, one, two, three years on, looking back on what they have accomplished in that short period of time. It is extraordinary what people with the right amount of leadership and some initiative and a worthy goal can do. It is amazing what they can accomplish.

When and why did you decide to serve?

I went to college under ROTC scholarship, so I knew fairly early on. I always knew I wanted to be a naval aviator. I knew early on this is what I wanted to do. My dad enlisted in the Coast Guard (serving during) the Korean War. He went to Boston University (on the GI bill). He was the first in the family to go to college.

NAS Jacksonville

People

25,522 with a $1.28 billion payroll

- Active duty 8,792

- Reserves 5,123

- APF Civilians 6,867

- Non-APF Civilians 890

- Contractors 3,850

Also, about 130,000 military, dependents and retirees live in the Jacksonville area.

Size

More than 460 buildings

Total acreage of 24,629