• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

NSWC Crane Holds Change of Command, Sagamore of the Wabash Award Presented

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080731-35
Release Date: 7/31/2008 10:03:00 PM

By Mary Camacho, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Corporate Communications

CRANE, Ind. (NNS) -- Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane) held a change of command ceremony July 18.

Capt. Charles S. LaSota relieved Capt. Mark Welsh as commanding officer.

Welsh said that his nearly four year tour at NSWC Crane was the best job he ever had in the Navy.

"The work was fun and I'll miss the people of Crane," he said. "The support Crane has from the community and the state of Indiana has been tremendous. We have been the focus of their efforts these past four years and we owe them a lot. You could not ask to have a better place for a Navy base than the state of Indiana."

Following the invocation by Paul Sweckard, NSWC Crane security officer, U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth congratulated Welsh on his accomplishments.

"It's a bittersweet day with Capt. Welsh leaving, but we're looking forward to working with Capt. LaSota," said Ellsworth. "NSWC Crane is very important to Indiana. Crane employs thousands of our residents. We are the jewel of the Midwest."

Indiana State Rep. Peggy Welch and Eric Koch presented Welsh with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels presents this award to those who have shown outstanding service to Indiana.

Welch said that the award is the highest honor that Daniels bestows and is a personal tribute given to those who have displayed distinguished service and provided great leadership to the state of Indiana.

The guest speaker, Rear Adm. Archer Macy Jr., commander, Naval Surface Warfare Center, commented that Welsh contributed to the morale of the workforce and helped improve relationships between Crane, local academia, industry and government.

"You should know every day that Crane men and women are contributing to the safety of the country and the world," said Macy. "Team Crane has risen to the challenge under your leadership."

Macy presented Welsh with the Legion of Merit.

LaSota remarked that one of the biggest challenges he faces coming to NSWC Crane is continuing to building on Welsh's legacy.

"Our challenge is to continue to improve the processes he has set in place," he said. "As I toured the facility last week, I witnessed the heart of the people here, they're very dedicated, they know they're making a difference to the fleet."

Welsh will report to Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he will be a professor of the practice of naval construction and engineering. This is LaSota's second tour at NSWC Crane. He previously served as the deputy director of Ordnance Engineering from 1998-2001.

NSWC Crane provides acquisition engineering, in-service engineering and technical support for sensors, electronics, electronic warfare and special warfare weapons.

For more news from Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/crane/.