Naval Base Kitsap Holds Change of Command

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Victoria Galbraith | 190816-N-AD499-1062 SILVERDALE, Wash. (Aug. 16, 2019) Rear Adm. Scott Gray, commander, Navy Region Northwest, delivers a speech during a change of command ceremony held at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. Capt. Rich Rhinehart relieved Capt. Alan Schrader as commanding officer, Naval Base Kitsap, during a ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Victoria Foley/Released)  

SILVERDALE, WA, UNITED STATES

08.16.2019

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Victoria Galbraith 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

SILVERDALE, Wash. – Capt. Rich Rhinehart relieved Capt. Alan A. Schrader as commanding officer of Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) during a change of command ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Aug. 16.

In September 2016, Schrader assumed command of NBK which encompasses nearly 11,000 acres in Washington, Alaska and a site in British Columbia, Canada. Schrader's next assignment is as the chief of staff for Navy Region Northwest, headquartered at NBK-Bangor.

"I'm honored and humbled to have been the commanding officer of Naval Base Kitsap over the last three years," said Schrader. "The mission here is critical in the defense of our nation, and we have the best people in the United States executing it. I'm very proud of our Navy, Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard team and what we accomplished together, and I'm grateful for the support of an incredible community around Naval Base Kitsap. I look forward to seeing great things from the team in the future under the leadership of Capt. Rich Rhinehart."

Rear Adm. Scott Gray, commander, Navy Region Northwest, served as the principal speaker of the ceremony.

“Fortunately, in the Navy, when we say farewell to one leader we welcome another great leader and that new leader for us is Capt. Rich Rhinehart,” said Gray. “We’re blessed to have him here and his family and friends to celebrate this occasion with us as he takes command at this very complex installation.”

Rhinehart assumed command of NBK following his assignment as Assistant Chief of Staff for Partnership and Civil-Military Cooperation at NATO Allied Maritime Command in Northwood, U.K.

“Admiral Gray, I want to thank you and the Navy for this opportunity to lead this team here at Naval Base Kitsap,” said Rhinehart. “This is an incredible honor as I step into Capt. Schrader’s shoes and carry on where he left off. I’ve been truly impressed by the leadership of the entire chain of command here at Naval Base Kitsap.”

NBK is the nation's third-largest naval installation and the largest naval organization in Navy Region Northwest, composed of installations at Bremerton, Bangor, and Keyport. NBK serves as the host command for the Navy's fleet throughout the West Puget Sound in support of surface ships and submarines.

"The Navy selected another outstanding officer to take the reins here at Naval Base Kitsap, and that is Captain Richard Rhinehart," said Gray. "I know you will all continue finding better ways to provide support to our deployed forces and take care of the ever-evolving Kitsap Navy family that is fortunate enough to call this wonderful community their home."

• Date Taken: 08.16.2019
• Date Posted: 08.16.2019 18:50
• Story ID: 336288
• Location: SILVERDALE, WA, US