INDIAN HEAD, Md. — Capt. David K. Blauser relieved Capt. Eric D. Bray as Commanding Officer of Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity (NOSSA) during a change of command ceremony at the College of Southern Maryland’s Velocity Center in Indian Head, Maryland, Apr. 15.
“I look forward to advancing the mission of NOSSA as we continue to lead as the navy’s technical authority for weapons, explosive safety, and security programs, including ordnance environmental support,” said Blauser after relieving Bray. “Together, we will focus our efforts on enabling warfighting, warfighters, and the future navy…One NOSSA!”
Rear Adm. Jason M. Lloyd, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Deputy Commander for Naval Engineering and Logistics, provided the keynote remarks. “Continue to be relentless on simultaneously focusing on fleet safety while not letting it impede the pace of progress. I say this because the situation demands it…the world is an ever-more dynamic and complex place”. Lloyd presented Bray with the Legion of Merit for his service as NOSSA’s Commanding Officer and congratulated him on completing 27 years of naval service upon retirement. “You [Capt. Bray] provided the tools and knowledge they [NOSSA] needed to minimize risk, and provided safe operating environments to maintain safe, battle ready ships. I couldn’t have asked for a better commander to lead the NOSSA team through the many challenges we have seen this past 3 years”.
Bray thanked the crew of NOSSA for their passion and dedication to supporting the Fleet, which positively impacts the day-to-day safety of Sailors and Marines around the world. Bray reported as Commanding Officer in April 2019 and led his workforce to accomplish the Command’s mission-enabling the Navy’s Warfighting Capability by ensuring weapons and explosives safety for the warfighters and the public alike. As Commanding Officer, he provided unparalleled leadership during the worldwide pandemic, where NOSSA continued to excel and effectively support the Fleet despite the challenges of a distributed workforce.
NOSSA — an independent field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command — is the DoN technical expert and independent authority for Weapons System and Explosives Safety. NOSSA’s mission is to actively and aggressively support the delivery of Naval Warfighting Capability by ensuring Weapons and Explosives safety for our warfighters and the public alike. NOSSA monitors and enforces high standards for system safety, software safety, insensitive munitions, electrostatic discharge, and other characteristics that provide safety and reliability for a weapon system.