Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) celebrated the stand up as an independent division at the Richard C. Cunningham Engineering Complex, at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia, Nov. 18.

The formal ceremony marked NSWCPD's transition from being a subordinate command within NSWC Carderock Division in West Bethesda, Maryland, to one of 10 divisions within the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Warfare Centers.

"Today is a historic day," said guest speaker Vice Adm. William H. Hilarides, Commander, NAVSEA, reflecting on the command's storied history dating back to 1910. He also focused on the future.

"The Philadelphia Division will be the center of excellence for cybersecurity for MCS (machinery control systems) ... This is the perfect place for this critical work," Hilarides said.

Nov. 18 marked the 105th anniversary of the command; other Navy leaders in attendance addressed the historical relevance.

"I just want to thank everybody as we start another fabled chapter in the 105 years of this establishment," said NSWC Commander Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, stressing the criticality of NSWCPD's role in cybersecurity. "Every one of you will be a part of that legacy."

NSWCPD's first Commanding Officer, Capt. Walter Coppeans, expressed his pride in leading the organization.

"This is our 105th birthday and we're celebrating the stand up of our command. How often does that happen? I am truly humbled to be standing in front of you right now," Coppeans said.

Dr. Joseph T. (Tim) Arcano Jr., Technical Director for NSWC Carderock Division and NSWCPD, opened the ceremony.

"Over the last 23 years of being one Carderock Division, we have done great things together," Arcano said. "This is a great moment for our Navy because it represents the way forward. As Philadelphia Division takes the lead on the Navy's cybersecurity priority, we truly accept and embrace that we are in a new arena of warfare."

Dr. Arcano will continue to serve as the NSWCPD Technical Director until a permanent replacement is named.

NSWCPD was founded by Rear Adm. George W. Melville as the Fuel Oil Testing Plant in 1910. Melville was a tireless advocate for an active Navy collaboration with industry and academia to conduct naval engineering research to solve problems that are often unique to the Navy.

NSWCPD employs over 1,700 civilian engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel doing research and development, test and evaluation, acquisition support, and in-service and logistics engineering for Navy ships. NSWCPD is the lead organization providing cybersecurity for all ship systems.

Today's NSWCPD employees work on initiatives including power and propulsion, energy conservation, alternative fuels, integrated electric power systems, and automation and controls. The site has 1.5 million square feet of building space with more than 100 laboratories and test sites.

For more news from Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock, visit www.navy.mil/.