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Surface Combat Systems Center Wallops Island Changes Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081123-05
Release Date: 11/23/2008 11:22:00 PM

From Surface Combat Systems Center Wallops Island Public Affairs

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. (NNS) -- Surface Combat Systems Center (SCSC), Wallops Island, Va., hosted a change-of-command ceremony Nov. 14.

Cmdr. John J. Keegan relieved Cmdr. Gerald D. Herman as commanding officer.

The change-of-command ceremony is a symbolic transfer of responsibility and accountability from one commanding officer to another, conducted before the assembled company of the command to proclaim the continuity of authority.

The guest speaker, Rear Adm. Mark S. Boensel, commander, Navy Region Mid–Atlantic spoke about SCSC Wallops Island and the support afforded to the warfighter.

"Commander Keegan is ready and eager to step up to the plate. He has an impressive record of achievement coming into this assignment -- all of which will help him as new challenges emerge. I have the utmost confidence in Commander Keegan and his ability to transform these challenges into achievements," Boensel said. "I know that the crew here is ready to follow your lead, and that the community is anxious to embrace you and your family."

During his remarks, Keegan explained his vision and underscored the role of the command in support of the Maritime Strategy.

"At the beginning [last] year, the Chief of Naval Operations laid out a new Maritime Strategy that requires an appropriately balanced fleet of ships, realistic training and most importantly - the best workforce. To our Sailors and civilians…this strategy is nothing without you. My focus is on execution. Your professionalism, your commitment, your personal contributions are what will make this strategy work," said Keegan.

Keegan, originally from East Northport, N.Y., received his commission in May 1990 upon graduation from Villanova University with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. His initial sea assignments following commissioning were USS Ashland (LSD 48) followed by USS Pelican (MHC 53). In June 1997, he transferred to Surface Warfare School Command in Newport, R.I., as a student in the department head course, followed by assignment as the chief engineer on USS Defender (MCM 2). During that tour, he was selected for lateral transfer to engineering duty officer. In April 2000, he reported to Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., graduating in June 2002 with a master's of science in mechanical engineering. He then reported to the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Pascagoula, Miss., in September 2002. While assigned there, he completed his engineering duty qualification and served as the test officer during construction of LHD 8 and LPD 19. In October 2004, Keegan reported for duty at Program Executive Office Ships in the Program Office for Support Ships, Boats and Craft as the acquisition manager for the Joint High Speed Vessel program, a billet he held until October 2005, when he became the assistant program manager for the mobile landing platform, a key enabler of the maritime prepositioning force. In January 2007, Keegan reported to Navy Personnel Command as the assistant engineering duty officer detailer.

Herman's next assignment will be as the combat systems officer on board USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). SCSC Wallops Island, a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command, provides surface combat systems to support fleet operations, testing, training, engineering and development in a maritime environment. As a shore installation, SCSC Wallops Island is integral to the Navy Maritime Strategy for launching Navy maritime warfighting capabilities.

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.