Chief of Naval Operations Vern Clark said the Navy's aircraft carriers, pilots and crew members led the way in the war in Afghanistan. He spoke aboard the aircraft carrier Nimitz during the change-of-command ceremony for the Naval Air Forces based at North Island Naval Air Station.

Naval aviation was "critical to our Navy's ability to influence events on land and defend our country," Clark said.

Vice Adm. Michael Malone took over the Navy's prime aviation command from Vice Adm. John Nathman.

Afterward, Clark presided over another change-of-command ceremony.

During a low-key event at the nearby Naval Amphibious Base, the Navy's SEALs and special warfare group welcomed their new commander when Rear Adm. Eric Olson handed the reins to Rear Adm. Albert Calland.

The admirals who stepped aside yesterday represented two of the primary military efforts used in the war against terrorism.

The Navy's fleet of carrier-based fighters and bombers played a key role in supporting forces that attacked Taliban forces last fall. On the ground, Navy SEALs provided reconnaissance before the Marines landed at a desert airfield in Afghanistan and probed caves abandoned by al-Qaeda fighters.

During a six-minute farewell speech, Nathman said Navy pilots are at the forefront of the war.

"Because of their strengths and guts, we are prevailing," Nathman said.

In his new job, Nathman said, he will broaden his emphasis from naval aviation to the entire service, including aircraft, ships and shore units.

As chief of warfare requirements and programs, Nathman will oversee the Navy's development of weapons, ships and aircraft, along with training activities.

"My challenge will be to look at the Navy as a total war-fighting force and looking at the contribution of each part of the Navy," he said during a recent interview.

Nathman, 54, flew F-4 Phantoms, F-14 Tomcats and F-18 Hornets in several squadrons. He commanded the Nimitz battle group and was director of air warfare at the Pentagon before his assignment here.

Malone, 54, piloted A-7 Corsair attack bombers and Hornet strike fighters. As a rear admiral, he was in charge of the Roosevelt battle group before being named commander of the Atlantic Fleet's naval air force in April 2002.

Clark was also complimentary of the SEALs, led by Olson for the past three years.

Olson, 50, was instrumental in reorganizing the force, adding two new SEAL teams and changing the deployment cycle for the units. He also changed the selection and training programs and instituted efforts to increase diversity.

As commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command, headquartered in Coronado, Calland will oversee training, planning, policy, logistics of the commandos, and boat and underwater vehicle units.

As special operations commander for the U.S. Central Command, Calland, 50, was in overall charge of the SEALs, Army Rangers and Special Forces and Air Force commando units operating in Afghanistan.