New NAS commander touches base

Navy Capt. Robert Bennett, who began his career in 1990 as a helicopter pilot, took on another title Friday when he became the ninth base commander for NAS Fort Worth.

"I'm blessed to be assuming command of one of the nation's best bases and strategic assets," Saturday's Star-Telegram quoted Bennett as saying.

Here's wishing him good luck in filling the shoes of his immediate predecessor.

Capt. T.D. Smyers served the longest tour as commander in the base's 17 years as a naval joint reserve facility. In the grand scheme of a 31-year military career, three years and three months isn't much of a stretch. But Smyers used every one of those days to enhance the profile of the Navy in Tarrant County and raise the public's awareness from "there's a naval base in Fort Worth?" to "we have this great naval base here!"

Since its October 1994 transformation to a joint reserve facility, the west Fort Worth base has operated as a unique model for interservice cooperation that efficiently uses taxpayer dollars. But the installation is woven so deeply into Fort Worth's fabric that most folks don't think about it much -- though the health of western Tarrant County is directly tied to its annual economic impact of $1 billion-plus.

The base's profile has in some ways shifted with the personalities of the commanders who've served through the years. The most successful of them have not just enhanced working relationships -- to the benefit of both the military and the region -- but also lent their leadership skills to this community after retirement.

Capt. Paul Paine was second only to Smyers for visibility around town. The commander from July 2002 to July 2004, Paine was one of the public faces and voices constantly reminding area residents, businesses and organizations about the base's missions and economic heft. During 2003, that was particularly important as communities nationwide worked to defend their military bases in anticipation of drawdowns in the 2005 Base Realignment and Closures.

NAS JRB Fort Worth fared relatively well in 2005, picking up the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 46 from Atlanta.

Now Paine serves as executive director of Fort Worth South.

Paine's successor, Capt. John McCormack, was personable and approachable but not as outgoing. McCormack also retired to Fort Worth after completing his naval service.

Capt. Ian McIntyre, Smyers' predecessor, could have walked through a Chamber of Commerce annual meeting in his dress whites, and no one would have known who he was. And McIntyre would have been fine with that. He saw little need for interacting with civilians.

McIntyre's two years at the helm were a setback for the men and women of the Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Army Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Texas Air National Guard and all the civilian contractors who drive into and out of the base every day.

Smyers spent long days and nights turning that public relations ship around. And he succeeded with a signature style.

The minute this native son opens his mouth, Texas spills out like a litter of pups from a laundry basket. He's gregarious and likable, with a constant smile and energetic demeanor that he put to work improving the relationship between the community and the 11,000 base employees.

No one should expect Bennett, the new commander, to don a cowboy hat.

But he could study Smyers' tenure for pointers on how to stay in tune with the local civilian population to keep a good relationship Navy strong.

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