Naval Base Kitsap held its change of command ceremony on Friday where Capt. Richard G. Rhinehart relieved Capt. Edward “Alan” Schrader as commanding officer of the nation’s third-largest naval installation.
Schrader assumed command of NBK in September 2016, having previously been assigned as the branch head of Operations, Evaluation and Training, Strategic Systems Programs in Washington D.C. He also served as commanding officer of the vessel USS Nevada. His next assignment will be chief of staff of Navy Region Northwest, with headquarters at NBK-Bangor.
“I’m honored and humbled to have been the commanding officer of Naval Base Kitsap over the last three years,” Schrader said in a news release. “The mission here is critical in the defense of our nation, and we have the best people in the United States executing it.
“I’m very proud of our Navy, Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard team and what we accomplished together, and I’m grateful for the support of an incredible community around Naval Base Kitsap,” Schrader said.
” I look forward to seeing great things from the team in the future under the leadership of Capt. Rich Rhinehart.”
Rear Admiral Scott Gray, commander of Navy Region Northwest, served as the keynote speaker of the ceremony.
“Fortunately in the Navy, when we say farewell to one leader, we welcome another great leader and that new leader for us is Capt. Rich Rhinehart,” Gray said. “We’re blessed to have him here and his family and friends to celebrate this occasion with us as he takes command at this very complex installation.”
Rhinehart assumed command of the installation immediately following his assignment as assistant chief of staff for the Allied Maritime Command in Northwood, United Kingdom.
“Admiral Gray, I want to thank you and the Navy for this opportunity to lead this team here at Naval Base Kitsap,” Rhinehart said. “This is an incredible honor as I step into Capt. Schrader’s shoes and carry on where he left off. I’ve been truly impressed by the leadership of the entire chain of command here at Naval Base Kitsap.”
NBK has bases at Bremerton, Bangor and Keyport, and serves as the host command for the Navy’s fleet throughout the West Puget Sound in support of ships and submarines, according to the release.
