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Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Changes Command

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110521-13
5/21/2011

From Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Public Affairs

BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- Command of Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock changed hands May 20.

Capt. Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper relieved Capt. Chris Meyer in a ceremony at Carderock's Maritime Technology Information Center.

Stefanyshyn-Piper reports to Carderock from her previous assignment as Naval Sea System Command's (NAVSEA) chief technology officer at NAVSEA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Stefanyshyn-Piper was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1996 and served as mission specialist on the 2006 Shuttle Atlantis and 2008 Shuttle Endeavor flights. She logged more than 27 days and 15 hours in space and completed five space walks, totaling 33 hours and 42 minutes of extra vehicular activity time.

Her previous assignments include tours at numerous ship repair facilities and as surface warfare officer on the former recovery and salvage ship USS Grapple (ARS 53).

NSWC Commander, Rear Adm. Jim Shannon, who served as the ceremony's keynote speaker, cited her work as an astronaut and Navy diver, calling Stefanyshyn-Piper a "trailblazing pioneer" for Navy men and women around the world. Shannon also presented Meyer with a Legion of Merit medal for his accomplishments since assuming command of NSWC Carderock in July 2009.

"As division commander, Chris spearheaded Carderock's commitment to ensuring U.S. naval supremacy through advanced ships and ship systems that are innovative, adaptable and affordable," said Shannon.

Meyer will report to Program Executive Office (PEO) Aircraft Carriers as a program manager in Washington, D.C.

Prior to taking charge as NSWC Carderock's 34th commander, Meyer served in NAVSEA's PEO Aircraft Carriers and the CVN 21 Future Aircraft Carrier Program as assistant program manager for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System and Advanced Arresting Gear programs.

"I can honestly say that my tour here has been one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had in the Navy," Meyer said. "I'll always look back on my time here with a sense of pride and look forward to all the great things Carderock is sure to accomplish."

A field activity of NAVSEA, NSWC Carderock specializes in ship design & integration; environmental quality systems; hull forms and propulsors; structures and materials; signatures, silencing systems, and susceptibility; machinery systems; and vulnerability and survivability systems. The division's expertise spans more than 40 disciplines, from electrical and mechanical engineering to computer engineering and physics.