Naval District Washington Holds Change of Command Ceremony
By Chatney Auger, Naval District Washington Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) –Naval District Washington (NDW) held a change of command ceremony at Admiral Leutze Park at the Washington Navy Yard Aug. 18.
Rear Adm. Charles “Chip” Rock relieved Rear Adm. Yancy Lindsey as Commandant.
Rock, a native of upstate (Baldwinsville), New York, became the 90th Commandant of NDW, which is headquartered at the Washington Navy Yard, the oldest continuously operated Navy installation in the country.
Rock will also serve as deputy commander of the Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region.
Lindsey became the 89th commandant in 2015. During his tenure, Lindsey led a workforce of more than 3,500 military and civilian personnel at five Navy and one joint installation. Additionally, he hosted the foreign Naval Attaché Corps and personally oversaw all ceremonies hosting foreign dignitaries at the Washington Navy Yard, known as the "quarterdeck of the Navy," on behalf of the Chief of Naval Operations.
During the ceremony, Lindsey recognized those he has worked with throughout his time at NDW.
“My hat’s off to the men and women of Naval District Washington and the great work they do day-in and day-out for our Navy and our Nation," said Lindsey. "They are great Americans each and every one, who made it a pleasure to come to work. When I look back on my time at NDW, it will be the people and the mission I’ll miss the most. It’s been an honor to serve with you.”
Vice Adm. Dixon Smith, Commander, Navy Installations Command, presented Lindsey with the Legion of Merit medal for his able and dedicated leadership of NDW from June 2015 to August 2016.
Prior to reporting to NDW, Rock was chief of staff for Navy Installations Command. During his career, he has served as commanding officer of both the High Speed Vessel SWIFT (HSV 2) and Fleet Activities Sasebo. His other assignments include combat information center officer aboard USS Mahlon S. Tisdale (FFG 27), electrical officer aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), operations officer aboard USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), and executive officer aboard USS Donald Cook (DDG 75).
He also served as command, control and communications plans officer, U.S. European Command; military assistant to the political advisor, U.S. Joint Forces Command; deputy executive assistant and flag secretary to Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command and the Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation; and division chief, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5), on the Joint Staff.
"Admiral Lindsey, I sincerely appreciate the in-depth and complete turnover as I take the reins as commandant for Naval District Washington. Thank you for your tremendous leadership and vision that will keep us on the right course for a long time. My best wishes for your continued success as you head to Navy Region Southwest," said Rock. "To all at Naval District Washington, it is an honor and a privilege to serve with you in this storied and historic place. I am excited to get started and look forward to working side-by-side with such a professional and talented team.”
NDW is the regional provider of common operating support to naval installations in the National Capital Region. NDW is responsible for efficiently delivering these support services to more than 120 mission commands located within its geographical borders. NDW encompasses more than 4,000 square miles, including the District of Columbia, the Maryland counties of Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince George's, and St. Mary's, and northern Virginia counties of Loudoun, Fauquier, Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford King George, Westmoreland, Arlington and the cities within their outer boundaries. The region includes such installations as Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Naval Support Activity Annapolis, and the Washington Navy Yard.
For more news from Naval District Washington, visit www.navy.mil/local/ndw/.
