VADM Balisle takes helm at NAVSEA
Vice Adm. Phillip M. Balisle assumed command of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in Washington D.C. on June 28. Balisle, who most recently served as Director, Surface Warfare Division on the Chief of Naval Operations staff at the Pentagon, succeeds Vice Adm. Pete Nanos, who retired June 26. Balisle, a native of Idabel, Okla., was commissioned in 1970 after graduating from Oklahoma State University. At sea, he commanded the destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 993), the cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) and the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Battle Group. He also previously served as NAVSEA's vice commander. NAVSEA's mission is "Keeping America's Navy #1 in the World," by providing the Navy operationally superior and affordable ships, systems and ordnance throughout their life cycle, for today, tomorrow and the Navy after next. NAVSEA manages more than 130 acquisition programs, which are assigned to six affiliated Program Executive Officers and various headquarters elements. The nearly 46,000 NAVSEA team members serve the Fleet in four shipyards, the undersea and surface warfare centers, nine supervisors at major shipbuilding locations and the headquarters. "It is my greatest professional privilege to serve as your commander" Admiral Balisle said in a message to NAVSEA personnel. "We face interesting and exciting times ahead. At no time in the long and storied history of NAVSEA have the opportunities to serve our Navy been more diverse and promising"(By JOC David Nagle, Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs)