CAPT David R. Kuehn, USN becomes 57th Superintendent, USNO

Photo By Geoffrey Chester | CAPT David Kuehn, USN (left) relieves CAPT Michael Riggins, USN as Superintendent, United States Naval Observatory on 2019 October 25. RDML John Okon, USN, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Oceanographer/Navigator of the Navy, watches the proceedings.  

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES

10.25.2019

Story by Geoffrey Chester 

Naval Observatory

In a time-honored Change-of-Command ceremony, Captain David R. Kuehn, USN, assumed his duties as the 57th Superintendent, United States Naval Observatory (USNO) on 2019 October 25, relieving Captain Michael Riggins, USN, who will assume new duties at the United States Naval Academy.

Following the keynote speech by RDML John Okon, USN (Commander, Navy Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy) the two officers read their orders, and CAPT Kuehn officially relieved CAPT Riggins at 10:50 a.m. EDT.

CAPT Dave Kuehn hails from Columbia, South Carolina. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina in May 1995 and was commissioned through the ROTC program. He holds a Master’s of Science in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography from Navy Post-graduate School and a Master’s of Science in Hydrography from the University of Southern Mississippi.

CAPT Kuehn served in Yokosuka, Japan from 1995-1998 at Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Facility. From 1998-2000, he served as Officer in Charge of Naval European Meteorology and Oceanography Detachment, Souda Bay, Crete during the Kosovo Campaign supporting operations NOBLE ANVIL and JOINT GUARDIAN. Upon graduation from the Naval Post-graduate School in 2003, CAPT Kuehn served two years as Operations Officers at Naval European Meteorology and Oceanography Facility Naples, Italy supporting Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOR. He served as Department Head and Executive Office while assigned to the Fleet Survey Team at Stennis Space Center, MS from 2005-2008. From 2008-2010 he served as the METOC Officer and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection Officer onboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) homeported in Norfolk, VA and deployed for Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NEW DAWN. In 2010 he was assigned Force Oceanographer to Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group in Norfolk, VA. In October of 2011 he assumed duties as the Navigation Policy and Requirements Officer at OPNAV N2N6E4 and served as Deputy Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance (OPNAV N2N6) from July 2012 to September 2013. He assumed command of Fleet Survey Team, Stennis Space Center, MS in October 2013. Upon completion of this command he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy at Commander Navy Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC). In June 2017 he assumed duties as the Senior Oceanography Assignments and Placement Officer in Millington, TN.

CAPT Kuehn’s personal awards include Meritorious Service Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, Navy Achievement Medals and various service and campaign awards.

Originally established as the U.S. Navy Depot of Charts & Instruments 189 years ago, the U.S. Naval Observatory continues to perform an essential operational role for the United States, the Navy, and the Department of Defense. Its mission includes determining the positions and motions of the Earth, Sun, Moon, planets, stars and other celestial objects, providing astronomical data; determining precise time; measuring the Earth's rotation; and maintaining the Master Clock for the United States.

• Date Taken: 10.25.2019
• Date Posted: 10.28.2019 14:32
• Story ID: 349539
• Location: WASHINGTON, DC, US