INDIAN ISLAND — Naval Magazine Indian Island has a new commanding officer.
Commander Andrew Crouse took the reins from Commander Donald Emerson in a change of command ceremony on Thursday. The commanding officer position is a two-year billet.
About 100 Navy personnel, family and community members attended the outdoor ceremony Thursday morning at the naval installation.
Emerson assumed command of the naval magazine on June 28, 2019. His next assignment will be on USS Makin Island (LHD 8) based in San Diego, Calif., said Julianne Stanford, public affairs officer.
Leaving the unit is bittersweet for Emerson, he said in an email Wednesday.
“I’m excited about heading to San Diego and sunnier weather, but I know I’m leaving a great team here at Indian Island and I am a little sad to say goodbye,” Emerson said.
“The Jefferson County community has been so welcoming to me during my time here and I am grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve had to work alongside you all to the mutual benefit of the Navy and the community.
“I’m sorry to leave, but I know this installation and community will be in good hands with Cmdr. Crouse.”
The biggest challenge Emerson faced as commanding officer of Indian Island was the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We had to ensure 100 percent mission success, all while taking every step necessary to minimize potential exposure of the virus to the Fleet,” Emerson said.
“We rapidly implemented a number of policy changes to increase health and safety precautions on this base, all while trying to balance a work/life balance.”
Crouse came from the U.S. Strategic Command, where he served as a Cyber Watch Officer and Global Network Operations Control Center Deputy Branch Chief since May 2019, Stanford said.
Crouse is honored to be joining the team at Indian Island, he said in an email Wednesday.
“This installation is beautiful,” he said. “It has such a rich history and an amazing team of hardworking professionals. I am honored to be joining the team.
“My goal is to continue to execute our mission emphasizing safety, accuracy and efficiency while growing our workforce both personally and professionally.
“My leadership style is to engage with and empower my team. I’m not going to spend any more time than I have to behind my desk.”
Emerson has more than 2,400 flight hours in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. His personal awards include a Meritorious Service Medal, an Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards, Stanford said.
Crouse, a native of Easton, Mo., was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) at the University of Missouri after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Systems Management in 2005, Stanford said.
Upon graduation, he reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola to begin flight training and he was designated an E-2 Hawkeye Naval Flight Officer in 2008.
Emerson, a native of Great Bend, Penn., graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He reported to flight school and earned his wings in December 2004.
Crouse has logged more than 2,000 flight hours in the E-2 Hawkeye. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and numerous other campaign and unit awards.
Emerson has faith that Crouse will be successful as the new commanding officer and had some advice for him.
“I have lots of advice for Andrew,” he said. “First, he must trust his team. He’s taking over a great group of sailors, civilians and contractors who are all mission-driven and provide the best conventional ordnance support to the fleet.
“They all are extremely good at their jobs and he should listen to his team — they will keep him out of trouble! He will have a lot of challenges — ones that I couldn’t begin to predict — but he’s well prepared for the challenges ahead and he will no doubt handle them well.”
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Jefferson County reporter Zach Jablonski can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 5, or at zjablonski@peninsuladailynews.com.
Commander Andrew Crouse assumed command of Naval Magazine Indian Island on Thursday and he gave his remarks while flanked by Commander Donald Emmerson, left, the now-former Indian Island commanding officer, and Rear Admiral Brad Collins, commander of Navy Region Northwest. (Zach Jablonski/Peninsula Daily News)
Commander Andrew Crouse assumed command of Naval Magazine Indian Island on Thursday. During the ceremony, his parents, Diane and George, pinned on the Navy’s Command Ashore pin that he received during the Change of Command. (Zach Jablonski/Peninsula Daily News)
