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Former Mine Hunter CO New Commodore of MCM Class Squadron

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081224-03
Release Date: 12/24/2008 8:43:00 AM

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

INGLESIDE, Texas (NNS) -- The last change of command in South Texas for Mine Countermeasures Class Squadron (CLASSRON) occurred on Bravo Pier Dec. 19.

Capt. Mark R. Rios, after guiding the CLASSRON for 23 months, passed command to Capt. Robert S. Hospodar.

"It's good to be back in South Texas," said Hospodar. "The last time I was here I commanded the [USS] Oriole (MHC 55) in the 1990s."

The CLASSRON mans, trains, equips and supports Naval Surface Forces requirements and functions as immediate superior in command supervising all facets of mine warfare surface ships' unit level training, and material readiness. This includes required certifications of both ships and crews. Additionally, CLASSRON provides mine warfare tactical squadrons with combat ready assets in support of numbered fleet commander requirements.

Hospodar, a graduate of Widener University in Chester, Pa. and the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. served as executive officer of USS Osprey (MHC-51), commanding officer of Oriole, and most recently, as director of training on the staff of Commander, Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command in San Diego.

Hospodar will be the last commodore for the squadron while based in South Texas. The CLASSRON is scheduled to move to San Diego by the end of the 2009.

There's sadness in being the one who closes the chapter of surface MCM in South Texas, Hospodar said.

"There's also great excitement in making the transition to San Diego," he added. "There's opportunity to conduct integrated training with the units of the Pacific Fleet."

Rios, a 1982 graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in national security affairs, has commanded MCM CLASSRON since January 2007, guiding the mine countermeasure squadron to numerous firsts including non-traditional maintenance concepts and creating hybrid Sailors for littoral combat ship.

"A positive influence for the Navy's Surface MCM Force," said Rear Adm. Robert P. Girrier, vice commander, Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command. "Rios stood up the Surface Warfare Enterprise Mine Countermeasures Class Squadron that addressed a variety of maintenance and personnel issues which led to innovative improvements for mine warfare."

Rios will report to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Mine Warfare Division in Washington.

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