KEYPORT – Capt. Francis E. Spencer III relieved Captain David K. Kohnke as Commanding Officer of Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport, on Friday May 29.

The Change of Command and retirement ceremony was held at the Naval Undersea Museum at the Jack Murdock Auditorium and was attended by over 250 from the Navy, local community, elected officials, and workforce from NUWC Keyport.

Spencer’s service includes tours aboard ballistic missile submarines and the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). His most recent assignment was with the Office of Naval Research. Spencer holds a Bachelor of Science in English from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master of Science in Metallurgy, a Master of Science in Physics, and a Master of Business Administration.

Kohnke’s service also includes tours aboard submarines, both ballistic missile and fast attack, and an aircraft carrier. He was awarded the Legion of Merit from the President of the United States for his exceptional meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service during his tour as Commanding Officer, NUWC Keyport from September 2012 to May 2015. Kohnke served several tours in Kitsap County, including assignments to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 72) before reporting to NUWC Keyport.

NUWC Keyport has provided technical capabilities that support America’s dominance in the undersea domain for over 100 years. NUWC Keyport is headquartered in Washington State, and has facilities and operations in several other states and countries.