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Home : Media : News Admin
NEWS | July 27, 2012

ARCO Holds Change of Command

By Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 Public Affairs

NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif. (NNS) -- Lt. Cmdr. Michael Thompson relieved Lt. Cmdr. Mack Schmidt as commanding officer of floating drydock Arco (ARDM 5) during a ceremony on Naval Base Point Loma, July 27. 

Capt. Chuck Baker, commanding officer of Naval Intermediate Maintenance Facility Pacific Northwest (NAVIMFACPACNORWEST) in Bangor, Wash., was the guest speaker.

Under Schmidt's command, the Navy's only floating dry dock, Arco, conducted four nuclear powered submarine dry dockings, two Type Commander Crane audits, the NAVSEA Triennial dry dock recertification, a biennial Calibration recertification audit, and numerous Environmental Protection Agency inspections. Additionally, Arco was awarded two Battle Efficiency "E" awards and the 2011 COMPACFLT Retention Excellence Award during Schmidt's tenure.

"The Arco crew never ceases to amaze me. Without the crew none of Arco's successes would have been possible. I am humbled to have been Arco's commanding officer," said Schmidt.

Schmidt, a native of Steamboat Springs, Colo., will next serve as officer in charge for Southwest Regional Maintenance Facility, Submarine Maintenance in San Diego.

Thompson, a Midlothian, Texas, native, began his Navy career in 1988 by enlisting into the nuclear propulsion program. In April 1990, he graduated from Nuclear Power Training Unit (NPTU), Idaho Falls, Idaho. His previous assignments include USS Bremerton (SSN 698), USS Frank Cable (AS 40), pre-commissioning unit for USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), pre-commissioning unit for USS North Carolina (SSN 777) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from Liberty University as well as a master's of Business Administration - Financial Management specialization with honors from Northcentral University.

"I am both humbled and honored to be relieving as the commanding officer of Arco; it is certainly a privilege and a rare opportunity. I count it a true blessing and will endeavor each day to live up to its calling," said Thompson.