BREMERTON – Capt. Howard B. Markle relieved Capt. Stephen F. Williamson during a Change of Command ceremony Aug. 7, becoming the 49th commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.
A crowd of hundreds of command employees joined more than 100 invited guests, including a number of community and national leaders, plus family members of both honorees for the event.
When Williamson assumed command on June 1, 2012, he arrived with an unusual background – he had spent his previous tour at PSNS & IMF as the business and strategic planning officer, the production resources officer and the operations officer. This put him in a prime position to lead the command to carry out its mission of maintaining and modernizing Navy ships.
“We are all very blessed to get to come to work on something as important as the assets that the men and women of our Armed Forces take into harm’s way,” Williamson said. “They know when they leave here on the submarines, aircraft carriers and surface ships; those assets are in the best condition possible.”
Keynote speaker Rear Adm. Mark Whitney brought perspective to Williamson’s accomplishments at the command, as the former PSNS & IMF commander who Williamson relieved in 2012. He highlighted the people, the growth, the work and the safety at the command.
“When I left in 2012, there were 10,533 in the command,” Whitney said. “Now the number totals 13,308 and the goal is to get to 13,690 by the end of fiscal year 2016.”
Whitney also spoke about the maintenance and modernization at PSNS & IMF.
“Between June 2012 and last month, 18 [Chief of Naval Operations] availabilities have been completed, requiring more than six million man-days of work,” Whitney said. “That is huge.”
After also highlighting safety accomplishments, including two OSHA VPP Star Site certifications, Whitney presented Williamson with the Legion of Merit Award.
Following the presentation, the two captains’ orders were read. With that, and the utterance of two simple phrases – “I am ready to be relieved,” and “I relieve you, sir” – the command was passed.
Markle spoke to the audience and expressed appreciation to the PSNS & IMF employees present.
“We could not do what we do – when, where and how we do it – without all of you,” said Markle. “I am honored to be your shipyard commander and look forward to working with you in the future.”
Markle reported to PSNS & IMF from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where he honed his leadership skills as production resources officer and operations officer.
Williamson will report for duty as deputy chief of staff for fleet maintenance, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Williamson, left, and Markle, right. U.S. Navy photos by Tony Anderson.
Capt. Steve Williamson, former Commander, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, left, receives the Legion of Merit Award from Rear Adm. Mark Whitney during the Change of Command Ceremony. U.S. Navy photo by Jason Kaye.
