Release from Naval Sea Systems Command
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By Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD – Vice Adm. William J. Galinis relinquished his assignment as Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) after successfully concluding his three-year tenure in a retirement and assumption of command ceremony held at the Washington Navy Yard, Sept. 1.
During the ceremony, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro spoke about Galinis’ accomplishments throughout his 40 years of service to the Navy and the critical role NAVSEA plays in our nation’s defense.
“NAVSEA oversaw the successful completion of thousands of maintenance availabilities, all while taking critical steps to reduce maintenance delays across both private and our public shipyards,” said Secretary Del Toro. ”With each new ship delivered and every maintenance availability completed, Vice Admiral Galinis and his team ensured our fleet remained ready, lethal, and capable of responding to the demands of our Fleet and Combatant Commanders around the world. For the past three years, he has led the men and women of NAVSEA with the utmost integrity, developing a strong, mission-focused team while never wavering in his commitment to take care of his people.”
The Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) Adm. Lisa Franchetti served as the presiding officer over the ceremony.
“When you think about it, Naval Sea Systems Command is the engine that powers our entire fleet,” said Franchetti. “Our Navy would not be in the position of advantage we are today – with well over 100 ships and submarines deployed around the world – without Bill’s leadership these past three years.”
Vice Adm. Galinis, who became NAVSEA’s 45th commander in June 2020, thanked the command and its partners throughout the fleet and industry during his farewell address.
During his tour of duty, Galinis led the NAVSEA enterprise, a global workforce of more than 86,000 civilian and military personnel, with a fiscal responsibility for nearly one quarter of the Navy’s entire budget. He ensured NAVSEA continued to deliver warfighting readiness through the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling the fleet to continue normal operations.
“I am extremely proud of the NAVSEA team and work this team does for our Navy and country every day,” said Vice Adm. Galinis. “Across the spectrum from early stages of ship, submarine and combat system design to the construction, maintenance and modernization of these platforms and combat systems, it really is a true team effort. It has been a tremendous honor to work with and lead this incredibly talented and hardworking team.”
During Galinis’ tenure, he oversaw the delivery of 22 battle force ships and 260 boats and craft to the U.S. Navy fleet, the completion of 168 CNO availabilities, and 1,600 continuous maintenance availabilities. He engaged his leadership team in sustained efforts focused on the four public shipyards, and surface ship availabilities in private shipyards, driving performance improvements and leadership expectations.
As the Head Contracting Authority, he oversaw the execution of over 160,000 contract actions valued at more than $180 billion. With awards for programs including the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers, and Constellation-class multi-mission guided missile frigates, Galinis helped promote a long-term demand signal across shipbuilders and the vendor base while laying the foundation for a more capable and interoperable Navy fleet.
Through his leadership, the NAVSEA enterprise improved its overall warfighting readiness and provided an inherently flexible naval force and systems capable of deploying across combatant commands to meet emerging missions, deter potential adversaries, reassure allies and partners, enhance security and guarantee the free flow of global commerce. Anderson thanked Galinis for his leadership and commitment to the nation.
Rear Adm. Tom Anderson assumes the role of acting NAVSEA commander having most recently served as Program Executive Officer, Ships where he was responsible for Navy shipbuilding of surface combatants, amphibious ships, logistics support ships, support craft, and related foreign military sales.
Anderson, a surface warfare officer who transferred to the engineering duty community in 1996, has served in a variety of industrial, fleet, program office, and headquarters assignments in ship design and construction, maintenance, budgeting, and requirements. Anderson’s previous flag assignments include commander of NAVSEA’s Surface Warfare Centers; and commander Navy Regional Maintenance Center and NAVSEA director of Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization and Sustainment.
Rear Adm. James Downey has been nominated as the next commander of NAVSEA, and has been temporarily assigned as a special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition while awaiting confirmation.
NAVSEA is the largest of the Navy’s six system commands, responsible for the building, buying, maintaining, and inactivation of ships, submarines and systems for the U.S. Navy.
