NEW COMMAND—Capt. James McHugh, left, and Capt. Brad Conners listen to a speaker during the Change of Command ceremony at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu on Feb 27. McHugh relieved Conners of his duties as base commander. Conners, who took command of the base in 2005, retired from the Navy after 27 years of service. Capt. Brad "Brick" Conners talked about the importance of family during his retirement speech at the change of command ceremony at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu last Friday.

Capt. James McHugh, who officially relieved Conners of his duties when they saluted each other, shared his father's stories of when the elder McHugh was stationed at the base in 1955.

While Conners spoke, a young girl in a red dress noshed on Goldfish crackers. A baby, bouncing on her mother's knee, stared in awe at rows of stonefaced sailors who stood attentively behind the seated crowd of 400 guests in Hangar 34.

Indeed, the event had as much to do with family as the change of command's regal ceremony that dates back to the Civil War.

"I had no idea how complex and hard it was to run these types of bases," Conners said. "Needless to say, I had a very good experience. . . . It's work that very few people get to do."

Named the commanding officer of Naval Base Ventura County in October 2005, Conners said he was proud of his accomplishments in his tenure, including establishing strong ties with the civilian community. Conners, who worked in the Navy for 27 years including time as an F/A-18 Hornet pilot, was the public face of a base that employs approximately 17,000 people.

As his four children and wife watched from the audience, Conners said his family had to sacrifice so he could work in the Navy.

He pointed to the air field to the right of the hangar and said it was inspirational to watch families greet loved ones returning from serving overseas.

The retired captain also received certificates of recognition for his accomplishments from former presidents George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton; U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Port Hueneme); U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (RThousand Oaks); Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger; and other state representatives.

His officers and chiefs on the base also gave Conners, an avid guitar player, a cream-colored Fender guitar studded with coins engraved with the insignia from the different bases where he's served.

California State University Channel Islands president Richard Rush, who helped introduce Conners, spoke fondly of the retiring captain.

"The work he's done can be a model for all of us to emulate," Rush said. "Brick has expanded the identity of the base."

McHugh, a former E-2 Hawkeye commander, worked at Naval Base Ventura County for three stints between 19972007. He said he would like to continue Conners' work in establishing community relations.

The incoming captain stressed the importance of national security.

"This base is important in the global war on terror," McHugh said.

McHugh continued talking about his family. When he said his three daughters got to miss four days of school, the crowd politely laughed.

McHugh also spoke fondly of his father, who died four years ago.

"In my father's 30 years in the Navy, he participated in many change of command ceremonies," McHugh said. "I know he would have been so proud of being here today."