- May 6, 2024
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Palm Coast native and U.S. Navy Cmdr. James J. Donchez has ceded the command of Navy Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington for a position among the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
Donchez has served in the Navy for 19 years and has been commander of NAS Whidbey Island since May 19, 2022.
He has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours in P-3C Orion and P-8A Poseidon aircrafts and holds a 99% mission completion rate of an “arduous multi-detachment deployment,” according to a press release from Whidbey Island.
Donchez graduated from the University of North Florida in 2004 and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program.
He became a naval aviator in August 2006, earning his “Wings of Gold,” the press release said.
The Squadron — also known as the VP-9 “Golden Eagles” — specializes in maritime patrol operations using the P8 Poseidon aircraft for various missions like intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, search and rescue, monitoring threats and safeguarding maritime security.
Donchez was officially relieved of his post in a Change of Command ceremony on June 5, passing the torch to Cmdr. Jordan Brye, according to the press release.
Donchez is moving to D.C. with his wife Katherine and two young sons, Luke and Andrew.
