Arnold who finished his two year tenure yesterday with the official Change of Command ceremony at the US Naval Air Station.

Bermudian dignitaries and top US Navy officers turned out for the ceremony on the St. David's Base.

Three former commanding officers made the trip from the United States, Capt.

Joe Phelan, Capt. Dave Bellamy and special guest Vice Admiral Stephen Loftus, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Logistics).

Vice Admiral Loftus, in charge of NAS Bermuda from June 1981 to June 1983, stressed that Bermuda was still important in terms of the US Navy despite the ending of the Cold War.

The US mainland officer in direct command of NAS Bermuda, Capt. Bruce Darsey said: "I want to publicly thank Capt. Arnold for the job that he completes here today. He has certainly had his fair share of challenges in his time here.'' Capt. Arnold praised the men and women he has commanded on the base over his two years. He said they had been "exceptional.'' The Second Marine Division Band was flown in to play the two national anthems during the ceremony. The Bishop of Bermuda the Rt. Rev. William Down read the invocation and the Bishop of Hamilton the Most Rev. Brian Hennessy read the benediction.

WELCOME ABOARD -- Capt. Bruce Darsey (left) welcomes Capt. Tim Bryan to USNAS Bermuda, watched by a smiling Capt. Jim Arnold, the outgoing Base commander.