Paula Merritt / The Meridian StarCapt. Scott "Buggs" Bunnay, center left, puts his arm around Col. Robert Hammond, Jr., retired USMC who participated in the Battle of Midway, as they talk with Lamar McDonald and other guests after Bunnay relieved his command to Capt. Brian "Headless" Horstman Friday morning at Naval Air Station Meridian.

Capt. Scott “Buggs” Bunnay was praised as an efficient leader who revised the anti-terrorism plan, established an auxiliary security force and upgraded facilities as he said farewell Friday to Naval Air Station Meridian.

After three years as the commanding officer of NAS Meridian, Bunnay leaves the base to serve as the Senior Defense Official/ Defense Attache (Designate) in Rome, Italy.

The Commander of the Navy Region Southeast, Rear Admiral Babette “Bette” Bolivar, and the Assistant Commander Navy Personnel Command (PERS-4), Rear Admiral John F. Meier, both spoke on Bunnay’s behalf and welcomed Capt. Brian “Headless” Horstman, who relieved Bunnay on Friday. 

Meier, who served beside Bunnay in Japan nearly two decades ago, identified Bunnay as someone who sees retention, budget and equipment challenges and overcomes them.

During his time at NAS Meridian, Bunnay oversaw a $33 million annual budget and 496,868 flight operations at two airfields as 324 naval aviators earned their wings. Bunnay also revised the Anti-Terrorism Plan, established the first Auxiliary Security Force in more than 25 years and oversaw repairs and renovations to infrastructure.

Bunnay and his family will first go to Washington D.C. for language studies before going to Rome.

“Headless, I am convinced that you are the right person to lead (here),” Bunnay said. Turning to the Horstman family, he said, “I know you will quickly grow as fond of Meridian as my family has.”

Horstman thanked Bunnay for the welcome and said he hoped to continue the work Bunnay had started.

“Words cannot describe what you have done (here),” Horstman said. “And folks here will not stop raving about how awesome you are.”

Horstman identified four pathways to success he addressed to those stationed at NAS Meridian: integrity, embracing their role (and recognizing that all positions matter), maximizing their efforts and loving the command like family.

After the ceremony, Bunnay praised Horstman.

“He’s qualified and, most importantly, he’s a good man,” Bunnay said. 

Bunnay, from California, admitted a fondness for the South.

“I’d like to say my thanks for this location and the people in this community,” Bunnay said. “I’m not quite a Southerner, and I don’t know if I ever will be, but I have a newfound appreciation for this community,”

Horstman, from Dallas, Texas, said he’d be closer to home and appreciated the relationship the base had with the surrounding community.

“I’m looking forward to continuing the great work of Capt. Bunnay,” Horstman said. “And making Meridian attractive to the fleet so the best sailors in the country will come here to train.”