Commander Of NAS Pensacola Removed

The man in charge of NAS Pensacola has been relieved of his command.

Rear Admiral Tim Alexander says the Navy lost confidence in Captain William Reavey's "judgment and ability to command."

Reavey was temporarily removed from his duties Friday because of allegations of inappropriate conduct. The decision to relieve Reavey was made based on information obtained during the investigation.

Reavey, a 26 year veteran of the Navy, took over as the commanding officer at NAS Pensacola in 2008. He's been reassigned to NAS Whiting Field .

Cmdr. Greg Thomas will serve as commanding officer at NAS Pensacola until a permanent replacement for Reavey is chosen.

Cmdr. Greg Thomas

Commander Thomas is a native of Oklahoma. Callsign “Okie.” He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in May 1984 with a BS in Oceanography. Commissioned an Ensign upon graduation he reported to NAS Pensacola for Naval Flight Officer training receiving his “Wings of Gold” in November 1985.

Commander Thomas reported to VQ-1 in Agana, Guam in July 1986 where he was qualified as a Senior Electronic Evaluator “SEVAL” in the EA-3B Aircraft. He completed two WestPac/Indian Ocean deployments embarked in USS Carl Vinson and USS Ranger. He was the lead SEVAL for Operation Preying Mantis in the Gulf of Oman.

In 1988, Commander Thomas transitioned to VAQ and completed FRS training in 1990. He reported to the “Scorpions” of VAQ-132 in January 1990, and completed two deployment aboard USS Saratoga (CV-60) participating in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Commander Thomas flew 17 combat missions during Desert Storm as was awarded the individual Air Medal w/combat “V.”

In Dec 1992, Commander Thomas reported to the FRS, VAQ-129 as a Fleet Replacement Instructor leading the systems integration team for Block 86 software transition and also as the assistant training officer.

In August 1995, Commander Thomas reported to the “Garudas” of VAQ-134 serving as Safety, EW and Operations Officer. He completed the first “Expeditionary” squadron deployment to Iwakuni, Japan supporting Marine Aircraft Group-12. During this tour he attained COMVAQWINGPAC Strike Lead.

In November 1997, Commander Thomas reported to the Naval War College completing a Masters Degree in National Security Affairs in November 1998. Commander Thomas completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase II in the summer of 1999.

July 1999 Commander Thomas reported for his Joint assignment with the office of NATO Standardization at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Commander Thomas was the Senior Staff Officer responsible for four allied working groups.

Commander Thomas reported to VAQ-133, “Wizards,” in December of 2001 to become the squadron’s Executive Officer. In March 2003, he took command of the Wizards and led them through deployments in support of Operations Southern Watch and Northern Watch. The Wizards were the Battle “E” winners for 2002 and 2004.

In July 2004 Commander Thomas reported to the staff of U.S. Strategic Command in Omaha, Nebraska as the chief of the Stratcom Support Team to PACOM and also as the Current Operations Chief in the Global Operations Center.

Commander Thomas then served as the Deputy Future Operations chief on the staff of Commander U.S. Naval Forces Centcom.

Commander Thomas is currently the Executive Officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Commander Thomas has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal w/combat “V” (1 ind/2 strike/flight awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/combat “V” (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), and various service medals and ribbons. He has over 3,000 flight hours with over 2400 in the EA-6B and 450 carrier arrested landings.

Commander Thomas is married to the former Michele Ceravolo of Pensacola, Florida. They reside in Pensacola, Florida. They have two daughters and a grand-child residing in Pensacola, and one son and one daughter attending the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Capt. William Reavey's Bio
Captain Reavey is a native of Connecticut . He graduated from Roger Williams College in May 1981 with a BA in Marine Biology and Business Administration. Commissioned through AOCS in April 1984, he received his “Wings of Gold” as a Naval Flight Officer in May 1985.

Captain Reavey reported to VQ-2 in Rota Spain in December 1985 where he was qualified as a Senior Electronic Evaluator “SEVAL” in the EP-3 and EA-3B Aircraft. He was assigned to CCDG 12 for the Med 88 deployment as VQ/EA-3B Integration Officer.

In 1988, Captain Reavey transitioned to VAQ and completed FRS training in 1990. He reported to the “Wizards” of VAQ-133 in May 1990, and completed one deployment aboard USS FORRESTAL (CV-59) participating in Operation Northern Watch from May 1991 to December 1991.

In June 1992, Captain Reavey reported to the FRS, VAQ-129 and was recognized as the “ECMO Instructor of the Year” during Prowler Week 1994.

In November 1994, Captain Reavey reported to the “Lancers” of VAQ-131 serving as Administrative, EW and Maintenance Officer. He completed two deployments aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64) and a detachment to Aviano Italy in support of Operation Deny Flight from October 1995 to December 1995. During this tour he attained CVW-2 Strike Lead and CDO Underway.

In January 1998, Captain Reavey reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Millington TN , to serve as VAQ and NSAWC Placement Officer.

Captain Reavey reported to VAQ-132, “Scorpions,” in March of 2001 to become the squadron's Executive Officer. On June 6, he took command of the Scorpions and led them through a combat deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. The Scorpions were the Battle E winners for 2002.

Captain Reavey reported to the VAQ-141 “Shadowhawks” in October of 2003 as the squadron's Commanding Officer. In June 2004 he reported to USSTRATCOM to work in the Global Operations Center . Captain Reavey was recognized by his peers and awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Association Award for outstanding leadership during Tailhook 2004.

Captain Reavey has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Air Medal (4 strike/flight awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), and various service medals and ribbons. He has over 4,300 flight hours with over 3,000 in the EA-6B and 918 carrier arrested landings.