Mobile Diving Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 held a time-honored change of command ceremony on board Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb. 5.

During the ceremony, Cmdr. Sean L. Slappy relieved Cmdr. Jeffrey W. Stebbins as commanding officer, MDSU 1.

Stebbins received his commission in 1998 through Officer Candidate School after earning a Bachelor of Arts in economics from St. Michael's College in Burlington, Vermont.

Under Stebbins' leadership, MDSU 1 deployed forces to U.S. 3rd Fleet, 5th Fleet, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of national security objectives. Stebbins also successfully deployed as commander, Task Group 56.1. His next assignment is to the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Slappy, a native of Guam, earned a Bachelor of Arts in biology from the University of Guam, and a Master of Arts in military studies from the U.S. Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He received his commission in 1998 through Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. Prior to assuming command he served as the Joint Munitions planner in the Logistics, Engineering and Security Cooperation Directorate at U.S. Pacific Command, Camp Smith, Hawaii.

MDSU 1 is the U.S. Navy's premier diving and salvage force, prepared to rapidly deploy combat-ready, expeditionary warfare capable, specialized dive teams to conduct harbor and waterway clearance, emergent underwater repairs, and salvage operations in all environments.