Change of Command at NUWC in Newport

Rear Adm. Michael E. Jabaley will relieve Rear Adm. David M. Duryea as commander of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center during a change of command ceremony on Friday, Sept. 19 at NUWC in Newport, R.I. NUWC, which has divisions in Newport, R.I., and Keyport, Wash., is headquartered in Newport.

Jabaley will assume command of NUWC in addition to his current assignment as Deputy Commander for Undersea Warfare, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in Washington, D.C., leading a full spectrum of research, development, test and evaluation; hull, mechanical and electrical systems engineering; and fleet support services to the in-service submarine and undersea forces.

A naval submariner, Jabaley is a 1984 graduate of Vanderbilt University with bachelor of science degrees in mathematics and computer science. He also holds a master’s degree in engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a master’s in business administration from the Naval Postgraduate School. He received his commission from the Officer Candidate School in Newport.

Jabaley has served aboard a variety of submarines and commanded the nuclear powered attack submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724). His shore assignments have included duty on the staff of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and the staff of Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Since entering the Navy’s Acquisition Corps, Jabaley has served in a range of program management assignments including major program management responsibility for submarine development and procurement, and duty as the vice commander of NAVSEA.

Duryea reported as commander, Naval Undersea Warfare Center in September 2013. Duryea focused NUWC research, development, test and evaluation efforts on providing the fleet with services and products that enhance ship and system operational availability.

Following change of command, Duryea will retire from the Navy after more than 31 years of service.

NUWC is a shore command of the U.S. Navy within NAVSEA, which engineers, builds and supports America’s fleet of ships and combat systems.

As the Navy’s premier research, development, test and evaluation, engineering, and fleet support center for submarine warfare systems and other systems associated with the undersea battle space, NUWC is charged with meeting the undersea warfare requirements of the twenty-first century.

NUWC’s two divisions in Newport and Keyport work together to fulfill NUWC’s mission to operate the Navy’s full-spectrum research, development, test and evaluation, engineering, and fleet support center for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, and offensive and defensive weapon systems associated with undersea warfare and related areas of homeland security and national defense.