WASHINGTON – Capt. Lincoln Reifsteck relieved Rear Adm. Dave Goggins as Program Manager of the AUKUS Integration and Acquisition Direct Reporting Program Management office today at the Washington Navy Yard.
Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition Jay Stefany presided over the ceremony and welcomed Reifsteck to his first acquisition command position.
“Lincoln is an exceptional submariner, operator, and leader. He has been instrumental in guiding the Navy through the 18-month consultation phase that resulted in the development of the Optimal Pathway for delivering conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines to Australia,” said Stefany. “He’s the right leader for this trilateral effort that will support a more peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region.”
Announced in September 2021, the AUKUS trilateral agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States is a strategic endeavor aimed at strengthening the security and defense capabilities of the three nations that also promotes stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Pillar I is delivering conventionally armed attack submarines (SSNs) to the Royal Australian Navy via the Optimal Pathway announced by the heads of the three partner nations on March 13, 2023.
“Over the course of my career, I have been part of teams that delivered 15 submarines to the U.S. Fleet,” shared Goggins. “Serving as the first Program Manager of the AUKUS I&A team is the best possible way for me to leave the Navy – utilizing my skills to support two of the United States staunchest allies build and improve their own SSN fleets.”
A native of Fairfield, California, Reifsteck is a 1995 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. A career submariner, his sea duties included time on ballistic missile submarines and SSNs including serving as USS Columbus (SSN 762) Executive Officer, Commanding Officer of USS Hampton (SSN 767) and Commander of Submarine Development Squadron Five. His shore duties included Strategic Weapons Training Project Officer for Strategic Systems Programs, Tactical Readiness Evaluator and Assistant Force Navigator for Submarine Force, Submarine Assignments Branch Head and Executive Officer Detailer for Navy Personnel Command, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations for Submarine Group Seven, and Nuclear Operations Division Chief for the Joint Staff.
“I am honored by the trust shown to me to lead this exceptional team,” said Reifsteck. “I cannot thank Mr. Stefany, Admiral Goggins, and the I&A staff for all they have done to make me ready to take on this responsibility that will hone the tip of the spear for all three nations.”
AUKUS Pillar I’s Optimal Pathway began this year with an increase in the number of U.S. SSNs visiting HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. As early as 2027, U.S. and UK SSNs will begin extended rotations to Australia to accelerate the development of Australia’s workforce, infrastructure, and regulatory system as part of the Submarine Rotational Force – West (SRF-W). In the early 2030s, and with congressional approval, the United States intends to sell Australia three Virginia Class SSNs to Australia with the potential to sell up to two additional hulls if needed. These efforts will maintain Australia’s submarine capacity as it builds SSN AUKUS which is based on the UK’s next generation SSN design. The Royal Navy intends to take delivery of the first SSN AUKUS in the late 2030s with the first SSN AUKUS built in Australia delivering in the early 2040s.
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