PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Capt. Andrew P. Johnson relieved Capt. David Bauer as Commanding Officer, Surface Maintenance Engineering Planning Program (SURFMEPP) in a ceremony at Norfolk Naval Shipyard July 20.
Johnson reports for his first tour at SURFMEPP following service at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, where he served as the Waterfront Operations Officer, responsible for all non-nuclear surface ship and tactical craft maintenance in the Hampton Roads region.
His previous assignments include Nuclear and Propulsion Assistant Project Officer on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Refueling and Complex Overhaul at the Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIP) Newport News; Electrical Transmission and Distribution program/project manager for all projects in Iraq at Army Corps of Engineers; and Carriers/Amphibious division head at Norfolk Ship Support Activity. Additionally, Johnson oversaw the construction of both the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and the John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) at SUPSHIP Newport News, where he led the government project team through launch and completion of all major structural work. He also oversaw the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System test program completion on the CVN 78, and laid the keel of the CVN 79. He holds two Master’s degrees in naval architecture and electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.“
As Capt. Johnson takes command, the task before him is not an easy one,” said Rear Adm. Jim Downey, Naval Sea Systems Command’s Deputy Commander for Surface Warfare and Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center. “However, he comes to it with an already accomplished career that has prepared him for the challenges ahead. He assumes command with the support of one of the Navy’s most competent and determined teams that will ensure the requirements pushed to the fleet are technically accurate, and adjudicated on a level that is visible and transparent in every way. His extensive at-sea experience and challenging tours within the shipbuilding, production, maintenance and modernization communities make him the right individual to lead this organization into its next chapter of service and excellence.”
As the SURFMEPP Commanding Officer, Capt. Bauer successfully managed maintenance requirements resulting in increased funding to be used to improve material condition of ships to ensure they reach their expected service life. He led stakeholder efforts to leverage condition-based maintenance history, driving an enterprise shift to directive maintenance strategies, promoting planning and execution predictability. Bauer also oversaw the incorporation and introduction of new Class Maintenance Plans for LCS 1 and LCS 2 variants, DDG 1000, and early work on both the LPD Flight II and Fast Frigate new construction acquisition strategies. He also led the development of a new Surface Incremental Availability for Japan-based ships, driving both flexibility and discipline into overseas maintenance execution without jeopardizing expected service life or important operations. Capt. Bauer will transition to the office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, Test & Evaluation as the Director of Accelerated Acquisition.
In his remarks, Rear Adm. Downey recognized Capt. Bauer's accomplishments as SURFMEPP commanding officer. "Capt. Bauer leveraged the ground work laid by the previous commanding officers of SURFMEPP and in doing so successfully spearheaded efforts to address some of our most pressing challenges. Dave’s done an exceptional job and has set the bar high for Capt. Johnson."
SURFMEPP is a NAVSEA field activity that provides centralized surface ship life cycle maintenance engineering, class maintenance and modernization planning, and management of maintenance strategies aligned with and responsive to national, fleet, surface type commander and NAVSEA needs and priorities.
Aligned under NAVSEA’s Surface Warfare Directorate, SURFMEPP is headquartered at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia, with waterfront offices in Norfolk, Virginia; Mayport, Florida; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Yokosuka/Sasebo, Japan; San Diego, California; Everett, Washington; Manama, Bahrain; and Rota, Spain.
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