BREMERTON, Wash. –
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility welcomed its new commander during a unique change of command ceremony here, Dec. 2, which was arranged to protect participants and audience members from COVID-19.
Capt. Jip Mosman relieved Capt. Dianna Wolfson during the ceremony in the historic Building 460. Wolfson had commanded PSNS & IMF and its 15,000-plus employees and Sailors since June 12, 2019.
The event was livestreamed on the command’s Facebook page and via internal communication channels to allow members of the command and the public to watch the event. In-person attendance was limited to around 50 people, including participants and their immediate family members. Participants and audience members were properly socially distanced to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
In a first for the shipyard, the presiding officer for the ceremony Vice Adm. William J. Galinis, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, participated in the event via teleconference from NAVSEA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“Although the current pandemic prohibits my ability to attend in person, it is an amazing feeling to be a part of the time-honored tradition of a change of command, where Capt. Jip Mosman will relieve Capt. Dianna Wolfson as the next shipyard commander of this remarkable national asset – Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility,” said Galinis in his remarks. “Dianna has fostered a workforce that takes pride in delivering a vessel that will perform as expected. A workforce that prides itself on finishing a maintenance period from start to finish absent of any shortcuts because doing the job right and focusing on safety and quality is the only guarantee for on time, on cost, and on schedule delivery. The results are a true indicator that she got it right! So I say to you Dianna, ‘well done.’ You and Matt should be incredibly proud of your accomplishments not only at PSNS & IMF, but throughout your entire career.”
Galinis also recognized how effectively Wolfson handled a widely publicized allegation of employee misconduct almost immediately upon taking command.
“Soon after taking command, Dianna faced an extremely tough situation that effected the entire shipyard,” he said. “Upon learning about allegations of inappropriate conduct, she demonstrated what true leadership is. She stood tall, acknowledged the issues, and went to work to fix them. I can’t think of a harder issue to address right of the gates, and Dianna rose to the challenge. She worked with her team to ensure that everyone at this critical naval shipyard knows that when they report to work, they are in a safe environment and that there are people and processes in place to address any reported issues.”
Wolfson became the first woman ever to lead a U.S. Naval shipyard upon taking command of PSNS & IMF, in June 2019. She will also be the first woman shipyard commander of Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia, when she assumes command Jan. 15, 2021.
“I want you to know that it has been my greatest honor to serve as your shipyard commander,” Wolfson said. “I am leaving this tour, a stronger, more capable leader, with some of the deepest connections one could possibly imagine. Because all of you so graciously accepted me into your shipyard family.”
Wolfson thanked the workforce for their dedication and professionalism in accomplishing the always-channeling mission, while also dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“And despite these challenges, you showed up, and you continued to show up every day,” she said. “And with the selflessness, that comes with taking care of our teammates, our Navy and our country. You maintained, modernized and retired our Navy’s fleet -- even setting records and moving schedules left despite a global pandemic.”
“Despite it all, we have supported our families, our community, our teammates, our shipyard and our Navy,” Wolfson said. “We’ve been flexible, agile and worked to provide what each of us could, when we could. We have always been in this together. We win as a ONE TEAM!”
Galinis told the audience about several of Mosman’s past accomplishments, and let them know an experienced and accomplished leader was taking the helm of the command.
“Fortunately, we have a rock-solid leader coming in behind Dianna, in Capt. Jip Mosman,” Galinis said. “It’s going to be extremely hard to match Dianna’s record of success, but I know if anyone can do it, it’s you. Everything you have done throughout your career has prepared you for this job. You are ready for command, and I look forward to working with you. Congratulations again to both you and Amy. To the men and women of PSNS & IMF, thank you for helping make NAVSEA the force behind the fleet.”
Mosman, originally from Granby, Colorado, comes to PSNS & IMF from a short stint with the NAVSEA Industrial Operations Directorate. Prior to that assignment, Mosman served as Production Resources Officer and Operations Officer at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, since August 2017. He led the shipyard to complete numerous ship and submarine repair, modernization and maintenance periods despite challenges including the impacts of several hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“My family and I have been welcomed back to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard family after traveling around the world and the Navy for the past 12 years,” Mosman said. “It’s wonderful to be back in the Pacific Northwest and back here at this amazing shipyard. I’m very excited to be here, but more importantly, to be joining such an amazing team.”
“To our new PSNS & IMF family, each one of you make a difference every single day,” he continued. “The work we do here, the successes we celebrate and the failures we learn from are done together as a team. Together, we will continue to improve in all we do. Our mission to maintain, modernize and retire the Navy's fleet has never been more critical. It takes all of us to make that happen. Everyone matters, not only in what each of us accomplish, but also in how each of us is treated. You've already laid the foundation and we will continue to work every day to ensure our words and actions align. The journey continues.”
Mosman entered the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate and attended Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida.
After completing the Naval Nuclear Propulsion training pipeline, he served aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during its Refueling Complex Overhaul and later transferred to USS Ingraham (FFG 61), where he deployed to the Persian Gulf and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom.
From August 2006 to October 2008, Mosman served at PSNS & IMF on several aircraft carrier and submarine projects. He also served as the Deputy Business Operations Manager prior to his transfer to USS Enterprise (CVN 65). He has also served with the Ship Repair Facility-Japan Regional Maintenance Center, in Yokosuka, Japan. Mosman also served aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73).
Mosman is authorized to wear the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (three awards) and various unit and campaign medals.
With a workforce of more than 15,000 civilians and military personnel, PSNS & IMF, is the largest employer in the region. Established in 1891, the shipyard predates the city of Bremerton. PSNS & IMF's mission is accomplished through locations in Bremerton, Bangor and Everett, Washington; San Diego, California; Yokosuka, Japan; and Guam. The shipyard in Bremerton is the Pacific Northwest's largest naval shore facility and one of Washington State’s largest industrial installations.