Takes Command News

Captain Dianna Wolfson took the helm Friday as the 110th commander of Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) and first female leader in its 253-year history.Wolfson also holds the distinction of becoming the first female commander of any of the nation’s four public shipyards when she assumed command in June 2019 of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF).This marks her third NNSY tour, with previous assignments as Operations Officer and Project Superintendent for the USS Newport News (SSN 750) Engineered Overhaul.NNSY…

1814 - During the War of 1812, the British invade Md. and burn Washington, D.C. Commodore Thomas Tingey, superintendent of the Washington Navy Yard, burns the Navy Yard to prevent British access during the invasion. 1862 - During the Civil War, Capt. Raphael Semmes takes command of CSS Alabama at sea off the island of Terceira, Azores, beginning his career of raiding American commerce. 1912 - The collier, USS Jupiter, is launched. The vessel is the first electrically-propelled Navy ship.

U.S. Coast Guard Captain Matthew Lake assumed command of the U.S. Coast Guard Yard on July 1, 2016. He is the 42nd Commanding Officer in the 117-year history of the yard, the only shipbuilding and major ship repair facility of the U.S. Coast Guard. Captain Lake took charge from Captain George Lesher who served as Yard Commanding Officer from June 2013 to July 2016. Captain Lesher departed the yard to assume duties as the Ship Design Manager at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

1775 - Abraham Whipple takes command of Rhode Island's coastal defense ship, Katy, and captures a tender of HMS Rose. In December, Katy is taken into the Continental service and renamed Providence. 1864 - During the Civil War, the side-wheel steamer, USS Lexington, commanded by Lt. George Bache, and a boat crew from the side-wheel steamer, USS Tyler, capture three steamers aiding Confederates off Beulah Landing, Miss. 1944 - Following intensive naval gunfire and carrier-based aircraft bombing…

1777 - John Paul Jones takes command of the Continental Navy sloop USS Ranger. While commanding Ranger, the ship receives the first official salute to the Stars and Stripes flag by the French fleet at Quiberon Bay. 1777 - The Continental Congress adopts the design of present U.S. flag of 13 stripes and 13 stars. 1847 - Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry conducts the second expedition against Tabasco, Mexico, also known as the Battle of Villahermosa. 1945 - USS Sea Devil (SS 400) sinks the Japanese transport Wakamiyasan Maru in the Yellow Sea. 1945 - PB4Y aircraft bomb Japanese shipping off Banjarmasin, Borneo and sink Japanese (No. 470) shuttle vessel. 1985 - Steelworker Second Class Robert D.

1848 - The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the Mexican-American War and establishes the boundaries between the two republics. 1862 - Capt. David G. Farragut, commander of his flagship, the screw sloop of war Hartford, departs Hampton Roads for Ship Island, Miss., where Farragut takes command of the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron in preparation for the assault on New Orleans. 1938 - While piloting a PBY-2 aircraft in a tactical exercise off California, Lt. Carlton B. Hutchins collides with another VP-11 PBY-2.

Adm. Scott H. Swift returned to his home state and relieved Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. as commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet during a change of command ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, May 27. "The magnitude of this moment is not lost on me, especially given my personal and professional history here in Hawaii and the Pacific," said Swift, who became the 35th commander since the Pacific Fleet moved to Hawaii in 1941. "No one is selected for responsibility such as that of the Pacific Fleet based on personal merit or performance alone. Swift also spoke of his fond connection to Hawaii, where he was born when his father was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Harris said Swift's Pacific ties made him the perfect officer to relieve him.

Today in U.S. Naval History: February 4 1779 - John Paul Jones takes command of Bonhomme Richard 1959 - Keel laying of USS Enterprise, first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, Newport News, Va. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval History and Heritage Command website at history.navy.mil.

On 17 January 2014, Rear Admiral Jean Martens (German Navy) handed over the role of Deputy Operation Commander (DCOM) of the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta to Rear Admiral Bartolomé Bauzá (Spanish Navy). The handover took place at the Operation Headquarters (OHQ) in Northwood, London. Rear Admiral Martens joined the Operation in July 2013. On leaving the OHQ he was applauded by the staff of EU NAVFOR for his hard work and efforts. He returns to Germany to resume his command of the German Flotilla 1.

Caption        Before a crowd of 500 guests and the workforce of the U.S. 11 a.m. on June 7, 2013. Rear Admiral Ronald Rábago (center), Assistant Commandant for Engineering & Logistics, U.S. Coast Guard, presided over the Change of Command ceremony held at the Yard’s Columbus Recreation Center. Guest speakers included U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes of the 3rd District of Maryland. The Old Line Brass Quintet of the 229th Army Band, Maryland National Guard, provided musical support. Captain George Lesher of the United States Coast Guard recently assumed command of the U.S. Coast Guard Yard.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) changed command in Norfolk on August 5. Capt. Tushar R. Tembe relieved Capt. Joseph M. Clarkson as Truman's commanding officer during a ceremony at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center at Nauticus museum. Tembe, the new commanding officer, said he intends to take what he has learned while previously serving as a commanding officer and apply it to leading the ship and crew to further success. "Today belongs to Joe and Sandy Clarkson," said Tembe. "You two have had a very successful command tour and have poured your heart and souls into Truman over the past two-and-a-half years and it shows over every inch of the ship and her crew. Tembe reported to Truman in July 2011.

In a recent ceremony at Naval Support Activity Capodichino in Naples, Italy, Capt. Richard Soucie assumed command from Capt. James E. Tranoris of Military Sealift Command Europe and Africa (MSCEURAF), MSC’s Naples-based office. MSCEURAF is responsible for MSC ships operating in the European and African theaters and is dual-hatted as Commander, Task Force 63, coordinating and providing transportation and delivery of personnel, equipment, fuel, supplies, repair parts, mail and ammunition via air and surface logistics assets to sustain U.S. forces in the European and African theaters.

1779 - John Paul Jones takes command of Bonhomme Richard 1959 - Keel laying of USS Enterprise, first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, Newport News, VA (Source: Navy News Service)

NOAA Capt. David A. Score assumed command of the agency’s Marine Operations Center-Atlantic in Norfolk, Va., which manages the day-to-day operations of the nine research and survey ships in NOAA’s Atlantic fleet. Each year these NOAA ships conduct dozens of missions to assess fish and marine mammal stocks, conduct coral reef research, collect seafloor data to update nautical charts, and explore the ocean. Capt. Score served most recently as commanding officer of NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter, which conducted key research missions during the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill response, including missions to detect subsurface oil and study marine life in the Gulf of Mexico. Score relieves Rear Adm. (select) Michael S. Devany, who has served as the center’s commanding officer since June 2009.

1777 - John Paul Jones takes command of Ranger 1777 - Continental Congress adopts design of present U.S. Flag 1847 - Commodore Matthew Perry launches amphibious river operations by Sailors and Marines on Tabasco River, Mexico 1940 - Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Naval Expansion Act to construct ships to increase Navy's tonnage by 11 % 1985 - Steelworker Second Class Robert D. Stethem, USN of Underwater Construction Team ONE was killed by terrorist hijackers of TWA Flight 847. He later received a Bronze Star for his heroism. (Source: Navy News Service)

Captain Richard Murphy, United States Coast Guard (USCG), recently assumed command of the U.S. Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Md. He is the 40th Commanding Officer in the 111-year history of the shipyard, the only shipbuilding and ship repair facility of the United States Coast Guard. Captain Murphy took charge of the Coast Guard Yard from Captain John Kaplan who served as the shipyard’s Commanding Officer from May 2008 to May 2010. Captain Kaplan retired from the U.S. Coast Guard with 28 years active duty service.

At 1200 GMT, Wednesday April 14, the Italian Rear Admiral Giovanni Gumiero relinquished command of Task Force 465, the EU Naval Force Somalia - Operation Atalanta. The Swedish Rear Admiral Jan Thörnqvist took over command and the multinational Force Headquarters will now operate from the EU NAVFOR HSwMS Carlskrona. "Operation Atalanta is, and will continue to be, a very important operation, foremost from a humanitarian perspective. Our military effort will therefore contribute to generate relief for those who suffer in Somalia and security for seafarers sailing the waters off Somalia," admiral Thörnqvist said.

1779 - John Paul Jones takes command of Bonhomme Richard 1959 - Keel laying of USS Enterprise, first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, Newport News, VA (Source: Navy News Service)

1779 - John Paul Jones takes command of Bonhomme Richard 1959 - Keel laying of USS Enterprise, first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, Newport News, VA (Source: Navy News Service)

From the Navy News Service 1777 - John Paul Jones takes command of Ranger. 1777 - Continental Congress adopts design of present U.S. Flag. 1847 - Commodore Matthew Perry launches amphibious river operations by Sailors and Marines on . 1940 - Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Naval Expansion Act to construct ships to increase Navy's tonnage by 11 percent. 1985 - Steelworker 2nd Class Robert D. Stethem of Underwater Construction Team 1 was killed by militant Shi'ite hijackers of TWA Flight 847. He later received a Bronze Star for his heroism.

From the Navy News Service 1777 - John Paul Jones takes command of Ranger. 1777 - Continental Congress adopts design of present U.S. Flag. 1847 - Commodore Matthew Perry launches amphibious river operations by Sailors and Marines on Tabasco River, Mexico. 1940 - Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Naval Expansion Act to construct ships to increase Navy's tonnage by 11 percent. 1985 - Steelworker 2nd Class Robert D. Stethem of Underwater Construction Team 1 was killed by militant Shi'ite hijackers of TWA Flight 847. He later received a Bronze Star for his heroism.

WASHINGTON - Vice Adm. (select) Paul E. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) at the Washington Navy Yard. Integration and Engineering. Sullivan. A native of Chatham, N.J, Sullivan graduated from the U. 1974 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics. qualification. and Marine Engineering) and Ocean Engineer. the Engineering Duty Officer Community. the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition). (PMS 350) 1995 to 1998. and delivered to the Navy. In Sep. Submarine Program (PMS 450). four submarines, and most of the Virginia design was completed. NAVSEA's Vice Commander, Rear Adm. commander since Vice Adm. Phillip Balisle retired Jun.

Vice Adm. Barry M. Costello was relieved by Vice Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III as commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet during a change of command ceremony May 3 at fleet headquarters in Point Loma. During his tour as commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, Costello advanced the Navy’s Sea Shield vision for a technologically advanced Navy. “Together we have taken fleet training to the next level, taken the lead for the Navy in homeland defense and disaster relief, and helped shape the Navy of the future through leadership of the Sea Shield requirements process,” he said. Costello retires from active duty after serving his country for more than 31 years. As U.S. 3rd Fleet commander, he was responsible for training and deploying more than 35,000 Sailors on 134 operational assets.