Naval Station Mayport has new commanding officer

MAYPORT — There is a new captain in charge at Naval Station Mayport.

The new leader heading up Naval Station Mayport is Captain Brian Binder, who was officially sworn in during a change of command ceremony.

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Since the ceremony happens once every three years, it was a very significant event on the base. Captain Brian Binder relieved Captain Jason Canfield, who received his end-of-tour award for his service.

Binder is from Bordentown, New Jersey, but he has local ties. He served three tours with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 72 out of Jacksonville. Now, he’ll look for ways to help the base progress.

“I want to see a base that’s even better in its resiliency as we look forward, to how our climate will change and our environment will continue to change. On a base, looks at energy efficiency,” Binder pointed out.

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Binder says he will use three guiding principles to accomplish this.

“Prepare to win, bear the strain and Mālama Ohana, which is what we learned in Hawaii, which means ‘take care of the family,’” he explained.

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His main goal is to do everything he can to prepare sailors to defend our nation.

“Preparing to win is how we’re going to get there,” he elaborated. “Bearing the strain, it comes from the 24 principles of the law of the Navy: ‘On the strength of one link in the cable, dependenth the might of the chain,’” he emphasized. “As a team, we need to bear the strain together.”

As for what’s next for Captain Canfield, he’ll be staying here in the area. He is now going to be part of the admiral staff at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.

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