Naval Sea Systems Command > Media

NSWC Panama City Division military liaison enables critical contributions to the fleet
June 30, 2025 — Geri Kohler serves as the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division military liaison, and she manages all active-duty personnel and their administrative functions for the Navy lab. Her efforts help these warfighters to seamlessly mesh and support the mission here while ensuring their operational readiness. For this and the many ways these service members impact this command, Capt. Paul Stence, Jr., NSWC PCD commanding officer, presented her with the Department of the U.S. Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award, June 13... MORE

Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division Commanding Officer Capt. Paul Stence, Jr., awards Geri Kohler, NSWC PCD military liaison, with the Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award, June 13. Kohler manages all active-duty personnel and their administrative functions warfighters to seamlessly mesh and support the mission here while ensuring their operational readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Bob Lindee)

NSWC PCD program manager leads, accelerates Navy force generation through MCM USV delivery
June 24, 2025 — The McNaron family arrived in Bay County (then called Washington County) in 1882 and have lived in the area ever since. Today, one member of that family is working to modernize mine countermeasures (MCM) and unmanned fleet capabilities at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) that will leave just as long of a lasting impact... MORE

Ricky McNaron, NSWC PCD Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Unmanned Surface Vehicle and Payload Delivery System program manager, receives recognition from (then) Rear Adm. Casey Moton, Program Executive Office, Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC) program executive officer, April 24, 2023. The Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship MCM mission package and AN/AQS-20 Sonar Mine Detection Sets achieved initial operational capability. (left to right in back) Capt. David Back, (then) NSWC PCD commanding officer, and Capt. Gus Weekes, program manager Littoral Combat Ship Mission Modules were also present. (U.S. Navy photo by Eddie Green)

NSWC PCD engineering liaison streamlines acquisition, accelerates readiness
June 23, 2025 — Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) has a team committed to serving the warfighter and one of its professionals was recently recognized for his impact. Tommy Chatman, Engineering Liaison Office manager at NSWC PCD, spearheaded the command’s acquisition processes, resulting in a "Best Practice" model adopted Navy-wide. He played a key role in the transition from a prototyping Other Transitional Agreement to a Federal Acquisition Regulation-based production contract, which is the first for the Expeditionary Missions Program Office within the Naval Sea Systems Command and serves as a model for rapid prototyping and fielding capabilities for the warfighter... MORE

(right) Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division Commanding Officer Capt. Paul Stence, Jr., awards Tommy Chatman with the Department of the Navy Civilian Service Achievement Medal, April 18. Chatman was a key contributor in acquiring the Standoff Reacquire Identify Detection Expeditionary Navigation Tool (STRIDENT) production contract for NSWC PCD. STRIDENT is a cutting-edge, long-range reconnaissance and targeting system that enhances the Navy's ability to identify and neutralize threats from a safe distance. (U.S. Navy photo by Anthony Powers)

NUWC Division Newport scientist, team win 2025 Etter Top Scientists and Engineers of the Year Awards
June 18, 2025 — Michael Warnock, a scientist in the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport’s Undersea Warfare (USW) Platforms and Payload Integration Department, and the Surface Ship Undersea Warfare In-Service Support Team from the Sensors and Sonar Systems Department, recently won Assistant Secretary of the Navy Research, Development and Acquisition (RD&A) 2025 Dr. Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers of the Year Awards... MORE

From Navy veteran to C4I expert: supporting the fleet to fuel combat surge readiness
June 12, 2025 — As a Navy veteran, Evan Sarantos, understands the importance of what force generation, communication and capabilities bring to the warfighter. He has brought that same passion and experience as Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division’s (NSWC PCD) Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence... MORE

Evan Sarantos, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division’s Expeditionary Sea Base Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence Project lead systems engineer, receives the NSWC PCD FY24 Annual Award for Technical Excellence, March 27. This mission is essential to supporting the Force Behind the Fleet as a crucial element for effective modern warfare in complex and dynamic environments. (U.S. Navy photo by Eddie Green)

Navy lab's mine warfare technologies put to the test at IBP 25.5, paving way for future advancements
June 11, 2025 — Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) demonstrated its commitment to supporting the fleet by applying its subsea and seabed warfare expertise during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 25.5. NSWC PCD showcased several key technologies, including the Disposable Reusable Expeditionary Warfare Underwater Vehicle and the Threat Tracker system, highlighting their effectiveness in enhancing mine warfare capabilities. The Barracuda Mine Neutralization System also benefited from insights gained during the exercise, which will inform future development efforts. By actively participating in IBP 25.5, NSWC PCD not only demonstrated its commitment to innovation but also strengthened partnerships with other military units, contributing to a more secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The event allowed the Navy lab to showcase the real-world application of its technologies and help pave the way for future advancements in mine warfare as a force behind the fleet... MORE

Christian Weber, the Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 25.5 technology lead from Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, describes the capabilities of the Hangman underwater system to Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Rear Adm. Yatsutaka Ebata, commander, Escort Flotilla 2, and Capt. Antonio Hyde, commodore, Mine Countermeasures Squadron 7, during the IBP 25.5 technology demonstration aboard the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Warrior (MCM 10), at Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, May 15, 2025. Exercises such as Integrated Battle Problem allow the Navy to demonstrate unmanned system operations in relevant experiment scenarios to meet service level objectives and operationalize unmanned systems and capabilities to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class W. Chase Stephens. Portions of this photo have been obscured for security purposes.)

NUWC Division Newport awards ceremony recognizes 12 patent inventors, published authors
June 9, 2025 — The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport’s newest crop of inventors and authors were celebrated during a ceremony that recognized the latest patents and journal articles on May 30. The event capped a technical focus theme of “Innovation” held throughout May and coincided with National Inventors Month... MORE

Small Assumes Command of Naval Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers
June 9, 2025 — WASHINGTON - Rear Adm. Pete Small assumed command of Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers, relieving Rear Adm. Todd Evans, during a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, May 30. Evans led the warfare center team with a focus on advancing wartime readiness, the energetics comprehensive modernization plan, and... MORE

Rear Adm. Pete Small assumed command of Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers, relieving Rear Adm. Todd Evans, during a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, May 30.

NSWC PCD team awarded for innovative underwater navigation system, bolsters maritime security
June 9, 2025 — Members from NSWC PCD's Standoff Target Reacquire Identify Detection Expeditionary Navigation Tool (STRIDENT) Program recently received the Navy Civilian Service Achievement Medal. This milestone signifies a major accomplishment, as the STRIDENT system, with its technologically advanced yet lightweight design, will significantly enhance warfighter capabilities while leveraging innovative acquisition approaches, and reducing both time and cost associated with fielding new equipment... MORE

Members from the NSWC PCD Standoff Target Reacquire Identify Detection Expeditionary Navigation Tool (STRIDENT) Program receive the Navy Civilian Service Achievement Medal for enhancing warfighter capabilities, April 18, 2025. (from left) David Trexler, Dr. John Kelly, Steven Roberts, Aaron Burghardt, Joshua Lowe, Jonathan Outlaw, and Christine Livingston (not pictured). (U.S. Navy photo by Anthony Powers)

PEO UWS executive director stresses the importance of submarines during May 19 visit to NUWC Division Newport
May 30, 2025 — During his visit to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport on May 19, Executive Director Mike McClatchey, a member of the Senior Executive Service, Program Executive Office, Undersea Warfare Systems (PEO UWS), emphasized the critical role the submarine platform and warfare center play in safeguarding our country... MORE

Headquarters

Media Queries