Every aviator in every U-S Navy strike force deployed throughout the world knows the sprawling base outside Fallon and the surrounding desert mountains well.

Home to the Navy's Top Gun school this is where the Navy sends its squadrons to train together. It's an important role and one unique to this setting.

"The range training complex here is one of the crown jewels of naval aviation," says Capt. Michael Glaser, Fallon's commander for the past three years. "We could not replicate what we do here anywhere else in the country."

Wednesday Glaser ended his three year tour in Fallon, a time spent by all accounts, not only maintaining this base and its mission, but building even closer ties to the neighboring community.

"There's a sense of loss," says Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford. "We losing a friend."

The base's $50 million payroll plays a big part of the local economy, but the relationship runs deeper than that."

"hey're volunteers in your community. They're in your schools. They're in your little league programs, your soccer programs. It's a great asset, all the things they can bring to your community."

And, he adds training warriors in a time of war is a matter of pride in the patriotic community.

The relationship dates back to World War II when this base was established. Closed in the years following, it was reestablished in 1953.

The base has seen 28 changes in command in all those years.

Captain Rinehart Wilke, an F-14 pilot who was stationed here and met his wife here a few years ago, is the latest to take command.

He won't be the last. This base set in the high desert of northern Nevada will continue to train pilots for duty on the oceans of the world.