Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach held a traditional change of command ceremony August 25.

Capt. Noel Dahlke relieved Capt. Tripp Hardy as commanding officer of both Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach and Navy Munitions Command, CONUS West Division.

Dahlke brings with him 22 years of Navy experience. A naval aviator with over 3,100 hours of flight time in P-3C Orion and S-3B Viking patrol aircraft, his previous tours include command of Patrol Squadron VP-26, and Director for Undersea Warfare Exercise Development at the Naval Mine and Anti-submarine Warfare Command in San Diego.

Dahlke's most recent tour was as Deputy Commander for Navy Region Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia, located at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, where he had responsibility for all Navy installations in the Persian Gulf area.

"I'm inheriting quite an impressive team from Capt. Hardy and I look forward to an outstanding tour," said Dahlke. "Let's continue to stay on task, be safe, and always look to support our tenants and the Navy mission."

Hardy, who retired after over 32 years of service, leaves an impressive legacy. During his tenure, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach received a number of Navy-wide awards for environmental stewardship, energy and water management, and housing operations.

"For the past four years, Capt. Hardy has led the way, successfully guiding his two commands down a path of constant improvement and innovation," said Rear Adm. Markham Rich, the Commander of Navy Region Southwest. "Importantly, he has done so with an amazing combination of integrity, knowledge, and above all calm, thoughtful leadership."

"Both personally and professionally, I've really enjoyed my time here at Seal Beach," said Hardy. "I'm amazed at what our Sailors and Navy civilians have been able to accomplish over the last four years, and I know that under Capt. Dahlke's leadership this is only the beginning."

Commencing operations in 1944 as a U.S. Naval Ammunition and Net Depot, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach is the Pacific Fleet's premier munitions loading and storage installation.


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