Capt. Sean Patrick Haley, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and executive officer of Jacksonville Naval Air Station, takes command of the base Thursday.
The largest Navy installation in the Southeast and the third largest in the service, the base includes 14 squadrons and employs thousands of sailors and civilians.
Haley takes command from retiring base commander Capt. Howard Wannamaker, who has held the post since February 2015.
Rear Adm. Mary Jackson, commander of Navy Region Southeast, will be the guest speaker.