Navy officer leading physiological episode prevention will report to VCNO

Navy Capt. Sara "Clutch" Joyner, who was selected to lead the service's efforts to prevent aviation physiological episodes, will report directly to Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran.

"I want that person working directly for me because I want visibility at the four-star level," USNI News quoted Moran saying. "This is our No. 1 safety concern for naval aviation, it continues to be, and so we are bound and determined to make sure we keep our sight picture fresh and where barriers get in the way of moving things forward, it's a lot easier for me to move those barriers sometimes than lower echelons."

U.S. Pacific Fleet Command chief Adm. Scott Swift recommended the research and prevention efforts in a June 15 "comprehensive review" of physiological episodes experienced by T-45 and FA-18 pilots.

The Senate confirmed Joyner, a former airwing commander and currently the Navy Senate liaison director, for a promotion to rear admiral in May.