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Schmieley |
Capt. Donald A. Schmieley on Friday became the fourth commanding officer for the Center for Surface Combat Systems at the Navy base in Dahlgren. Schmieley assumed command from Capt. Robert S. Kerno Jr., who led the command at the Naval Support Facility Dahlgren from July 2010.
Schmieley was commissioned in 1984 from the U.S. Naval Academy as a surface warfare officer. He did several sea tours before he assumed command of USS Mitscher in 2002. During his tour, the Mitscher deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf as part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and conducted combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Schmieley reported as deputy commander and chief staff officer for Amphibious Squadron ELEVEN, deployed from Sasebo, Japan, in November 2007. Schmieley commanded the squadron from August 2008 to February 2010, operating throughout the western Pacific Theater in support of contingency and engagement operations, including foreign humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines, according to a news release from the Navy.
Schmieley's shore assignments have included work as an Aegis officer, on the staff of the chief of naval operations, representative for the Naval Warfare Office, and deputy for ballistic missile defense on the staff of the chief of naval operations.
He has a bachelor's degree in ocean engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a master's in information systems from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Schmieley's personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.
