USS Augusta (LCS 34) Conducts Change of Command

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathen Parsons | Cmdr. Christopher Polnaszek, center, the outgoing commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Augusta (LCS 34) salutes sideboys during a change of command ceremony held on the ship's flight deck, Oct. 25, 2024. Littoral Combat Ships are fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. (U.S. Navy photo by Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Nathen parsons)  

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

10.25.2024

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Vance Hand 

Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1

SAN DIEGO -- Cmdr. Christopher Polnaszek was relieved by Cmdr. Joseph Trager as commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Augusta (LCS 34) during a change of command and retirement ceremony held at Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 25 2024. Capt. Douglas Meagher, commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1 (LCSRON 1), was the presiding officer and guest speaker at the ceremony.

During Polnaszek's time in command, Augusta was formally commissioned during a ceremony held Sept. 30, 2023 in Eastport, Maine, completed MOB-N, Crew Certification, Bridge Resource Management, LCS-2 Capstone requirements, Search and Rescue, Mobility-Seamanship, Communications, Mobility-Engineering, Damage Control Material Assessment, Engineering Light Off Assessments, Medical Readiness Inspection, Force Protection Exercise, Combat Systems Sea Qualification Trials, and Crew Familiarization.

Additionally, Polnaszek lead the crew through Augusta's maiden voyage of 8,800 nautical miles, including six U.S. and foreign port visits, a Panama Canal transit, and safe arrival to homeport. He is also the first LCS commanding officer to merge two commissioning Blue and Gold crews into a single team.

"This is not just a celebration of a successful tenure in command for Chris Polnaszek, but something much more special," said Meagher. "He established the legacy of ship, which is far more difficult than continuing one."

During the ceremony, Polnaszek was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his superior accomplishments. Polnaszek will be reporting to Surface Advanced Warfare School as the deputy director for his next tour of duty.

"You have enjoyed exceptional leadership in Cmdr. Polnaszek as he guided you through the process of bringing this ship to life," said Meagher. "He instilled in you the idea of excellence not perfection, and the idea of protecting the frontier. As Cmdr. Trager takes command, I expect that you will welcome him to our community, follow his guidance and leadership with the same professionalism and zeal you did for Cmdr. Polnaszek, and keep the ship safe in the water."

Polnaszek is a native of Charleston, S.C. He received his commission at the United States Naval Academy in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography. He is a graduate of the Pashto course at the Defense Language Institute-East.

Augusta is homeported in San Diego as a part of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1. Littoral combat ships are fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century threats. LCS integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.

For more news from Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/comlcsron1/ or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/COMLCSRONONE/.
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• Date Taken: 10.25.2024
• Date Posted: 11.04.2024 15:21
• Story ID: 484400
• Location: NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US
• Hometown: CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US