• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Rear Adm. Drennan Takes Helm of NMAWC

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080130-11
Release Date: 1/30/2008 3:36:00 PM

By Ed Mickley, Naval Mine & Anti-Submarine Warfare Command Public Affairs Officer

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Command of Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command (NMAWC) passed from Rear Adm. John J. Waickwicz to Rear Adm. Frank M. Drennan, Jan. 25, aboard Naval Base Point Loma Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Annex.

A cool blustery morning greeted the attendees for the ceremony held at the scenic Admiral Kidd Conference Center while a colorful sunlit San Diego skyline provided the backdrop.

Drennan, with degrees in aerospace engineering and engineering management is looking forward to his tour aboard NMAWC.

"I've been looking for this type of command," Drennan stated. I'm absolutely excited to be among some of the best people in anti-submarine warfare and mine warfare."

Following flag rank selection, Drennan served at U.S. Strategic Command as director for strike plans, director for information operations, and deputy commander for space and global strike component command. He arrived in San Diego after completing his tour as Commander Submarine Group Trident in Silverdale, Wash.

"This command is the advocate for anti-submarine and mine warfare," he stated. "The Navy looks to us for results. We, all of us, Sailors, civilians and contractors, need to be full time Sailors with the ethos of personal and professional service, 24/7, 365 days a year.

"There is an absolute growing sense of urgency for anti-submarine warfare and mine warfare," he added. "We will respond. We have many challenges ahead and we will meet those challenges because of the talent and enthusiasm that is in this command."

The celebratory and, at times, reflective Change of Command included Waickwicz's retirement. It marked closing the chapter on Waickwicz's 34 year Navy career mostly in aviation. He retires as "Helo One," the designation for the most senior helicopter pilot in the Navy. A flyby of four MH 60s Seahawks honored his retirement.

"Rear Admiral Drennan is the right man to move this command forward," Waickwicz added.

For more news from the Commander, Naval Mine & Anti-Submarine Warfare Command ,visit www.navy.mil/local/cmwc/.