is the most rewarding part of my job.

Its a time of change in the Navy in general, as the military switches to the Fleet Response Plan, in which planes, ships and people must be ready to deploy at a moments notice.

Bennett said he has worked to help the men and women under his command understand and deal with these changes.

I tried to establish some stability in uncertain times, and provide some level ground on an emotional roller coaster, he said.

Training and being ready to deploy also includes ensuring that the families left behind are taken care of, for peace of mind.

Bennett also faced the challenge of keeping the aging Prowlers flying, as they are integral to every mission. With the Prowlers flying the radar-jamming lead, one Prowler outof commission can scuttle an entire mission.

Bennett likened keeping the planes in the air to a game of musical chairs, swapping parts when needed to keep enough going. During his watch a Prowler dropped parts over Skagit County, and two planes were lost off of ships at sea. In spite of those setbacks, Bennett said the Prowlers maintained an 80 percent mission capable rate and no lives were lost.

In spite of their flaws, Bennett said he loves the EA-6B Prowler, and has a long history with it.

In March 1991 he joined the Zappers of VAQ-130 as maintenance officer, and completed a Mediterranean Sea deployment with the squadron aboard USS John F. Kennedy.

In June 1993 Bennett moved on to the executive officer position with the VAQ-141 Shadowhawks, completing two