U.S. Navy Captain Douglas Burfield, a St. Marys native, recently assumed command of Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River in St. Mary’s County Maryland.
The occasion was celebrated during a change of command ceremony in January.
In his new role as commanding officer, Burfield said he would continue to build on the foundations of leadership laid by his predecessor and provide the best service possible to Pax River’s mission partners thanks to the teamwork exemplified by those on “Team Pax”, according to a U.S. Navy press release.
“To the Pax Professionals, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for everything you’ve done already over my year-and-a-half here as XO,” Burfield said. “Our mission continues – to provide the finest support to our mission partners across three bases. Our goal is to be the finest base in the Navy, to provide a safe and secure environment from which to launch operational capabilities, as well as the best vital Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation for the future of Naval Aviation. It’s our teamwork, along with our professionalism and enthusiasm, that will set us apart as the premier Naval installation.”
Burfield graduated from Elk County Christian High School. He was then accepted into the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland where he earned his commission and graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering. He also earned a Master’s Degree in National Security Studies from American Military University. Burfield and his wife Kathryn reside in Maryland with their four children.