Mine Countermeasures Squadron 3 Change of Command

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120622-02
6/22/2012

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Richard Doolin, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Capt. Steven Mucklow relieved Capt. David Chase as commander, Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCMRON) 3 at a change of command ceremony, June 16.

Vice Commander, Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command, Rear Adm. Kenneth Perry, was the guest speaker and highlighted Chase's long list of accomplishments during his 17 months as commander, MCMRON-3.

"Most impressive, were Capt. Chase's efforts to increase MCM (minesweeper) readiness throughout the fleet, and to have stood up MCRON-34, the commander's command, train and equip functions for the fleet MCMs," said Perry.

In recognition of his outstanding service, Chase was awarded the Legion of Merit, the sixth highest military decoration. The citation read in part: "As the chair of the MCM readiness advisory group, he successfully leveraged and energized OPNAV (Office of the Chief of Naval Operations), NAVSEA (Naval Sea Systems Command), Defense Logistics Agency, various program offices and numerous other stakeholders across the entire surface warfare enterprise to focus on improving support for the MCM force. His remarkable efforts resulted in six successful INSURVs (Board of Inspection and Survey inspections), regular MCM exercise participation in 3rd, 5th and 7th fleets, and MCMs routinely underway with highly proficient crews ready for tasking."

In his remarks, Chase thanked his staff. "In my position, I often get to take credit for our successes, but frankly, it really is misplaced. Those accolades and praise belong with you, from the deputy on down to the junior staffer. Over the last 18 months you have routinely and consistently executed the missions, functions and tasks of MCMRON 3, often under arduous conditions, and always, always at great personnel sacrifice."

Chase's next assignment is with the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, in Arlington, Va., where he will have a financial management position.

Mucklow, a native of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., received his commission from the Citadel in 1986.

He was MCMRON-3's deputy commander before he assumed command, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting.

"I don't have any long remarks. I think we all get it's about operating forward, it's about war fighting, and it's about being ready," said Mucklow. "We owe that obligation to our Navy and nation, to be ready. It's very simple."

MCMRON-3's operational mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat and non-combat operations by coordinating the employment of surface MCM ships and crews assigned to the squadron. Administratively, MCMRON-3 supports the type commander by providing trained crews and materially ready ships for deployment to 5th and 3rd fleet commanders.