Undersea Warfighting Development Center Holds Change of Command

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class STEVEN HOSKINS | 180524-N-LW591-0022 GROTON, Conn. (May. 24, 2018) Milton, Fla. native, Rear Adm. James Pitts, Commander of Undersea Warfighting Development Center (UWDC) returns a salute from his relief, Vallejo, Calif. native, Rear Adm. Leonard Dollaga, during a change of command ceremony, Commander, Submarine Forces, Vice Adm. Joe Tofalo oversaw the time-honored naval tradition aboard the Los Angeles-class, fast-attack submarine, USS San Juan (SSN-751) at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., May 24. The mission of UWDC is to lead undersea superiority for the Navy by marshalling the resources, capabilities, and efforts of all organizations to provide world class support to customers from platform to Fleet Commander. Specifically, the UWDC develops the doctrine, concepts of operations, tactics, techniques and procedures for undersea warfare, assesses undersea warfare performance and warfighting readiness of the fleet, provides training for undersea platforms, carrier strike groups and theater anti-submarine warfare commanders, and advances undersea capabilities, wholeness and synchronization. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Hoskins/Released)  

GROTON, CT, UNITED STATES

05.24.2018

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class STEVEN HOSKINS 

Submarine Readiness Squadron (SRS) 32

GROTON, Conn. – The Undersea Warfighting Development Center (UWDC) held a change of command ceremony Thursday, May 24 aboard the Los Angeles Class, fast-attack submarine USS San Juan (SSN 751) at Naval Submarine Base New London, Conn.
Rear Adm. Leonard Dollaga relieved Rear Adm. James Pitts as the commander of UWDC.
Pitts’ will transfer to his next assignment as commander of Submarine Group 7/Task Force 54/Task Force 74 in Yokosuka, Japan.
Vice Adm. Joe Tofalo, Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic, served as the keynote speaker during the change of command ceremony, and highlighted the unique missions and accomplishments of UWDC during Pitts’ near two-year long tour.
“Consistently and successfully accomplishing such a diverse set of missions is no easy task, and is no-doubt a credit to the highly-capable UWDC staff and numerous supporting organizations, but it started at the top, with the Commander,” Tofalo said before thanking Pitts for his outstanding performance and support of the submarine force.
Pitts spoke before turning over the command of UWDC to Dollaga and offered these words.
“As Commander of UWDC, I have been fortunate to be the coach of our Navy’s undersea warfighting professional team. This team has been at the forefront of ensuring the United States Navy remains the pre-eminent undersea warfighting force on the planet,” said Pitts.
“I am thrilled that the new coach is Rear Adm. Butch Dollaga. He is perfect match for this team and I am confident he will lead you to new heights.”
As Dollaga took command, he thanked Pitts for his visionary leadership of UWDC and promised to continue the legacy.
“You have turned over a fine institution at the leading edge in front-line operation,” said Dollaga “Having watched you in action for the past few days, I am in awe of what you have accomplished and I know that you have set me up for success.”
Dollaga previously served as the director of the Congressional Liaison Appropriations Matters Office, on the staff of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Financial Management and Comptroller. He is a native of Vallejo, California, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy class of 1990.
The UWDC was established on Sept. 1, 2015 with the primary mission to lead undersea superiority for the Navy by marshalling the resources, capabilities, and efforts of all organizations to provide world class support to customers from platform to Fleet Commander. Specifically, the UWDC develops the doctrine, concepts of operations, tactics, techniques and procedures for undersea warfare, assesses undersea warfare performance and warfighting readiness of the fleet, provides training for undersea platforms, carrier strike groups and theater anti-submarine warfare commanders, and advances undersea capabilities, wholeness and synchronization.
-30-

• Date Taken: 05.24.2018
• Date Posted: 05.24.2018 18:15
• Story ID: 278396
• Location: GROTON, CT, US