SILVERDALE — A change of ceremony was held Thursday, Aug. 2 on Naval Base Kitsap as Capt. Chris Kurgan, the commanding officer of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest, turned over his duties to Capt. Chad Brooks.

Kurgan is leaving to become the commanding officer of the Civil Engineering Corps Officer School in Port Hueneme, California, according to a statement provided by NAVFAC.

“Thank you for your service to the Fleet and across the Northwest, what you do matters. It matters for the Navy; it matters for our National interests,” said Kurgan in his farewell address to the active duty and civilian employees of his command.

Brooks’ most recent assignment was chief of staff at Marine Corps Installations Pacific. He was stationed at Camp Butler in Okinawa, Japan. The statement noted that Brooks was taking on his first assignment in the Pacific Northwest and is looking forward to the various outdoor recreation opportunities here.

In his first speech as commanding officer, Brooks said, “You have my commitment that as we do this work together, … we will maintain a culture in which all people are treated with dignity and respect, afforded the opportunity to learn, grow and contribute to the important task at hand.”