Fleet Weather Center Norfolk (FWC-N) held a Change of Command ceremony at The Brashear Conference Center on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Virginia Beach, Virginia on April 21, 2023 where Captain Mark Murnane, Syracuse, New York native, relieved Captain Erin E. O. Acosta, a Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania native as Fleet Weather Center’s 34th Commanding Officer (CO).
This turnover between Acosta and Murnane came full-circle as he also relieved her in 2017 as commanding officer of Naval Oceanography Antisubmarine Warfare Center Yokosuka, Japan.
During Acosta’s time as CO, FWC-N has had some great accomplishments. The command has given support during 16 major hurricanes, supported major operations like the Chinese balloon recovery, and overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, just to name a few achievements.
Acosta is excited for the new experiences and challenges that she will have at her next command as the Chief of Staff at Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC) in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi. She reflected on her time at the Fleet Weather Center and the legacy that she is leaving for those who succeed her, as she recounted, “It’s been an absolute honor and privilege to lead and to serve such an extraordinary team of experts and professionals. Truly awe-inspiring. Today is a celebration of the Fleet Weather Center Norfolk Sailor and Civilian team’s exceptional service to the Fleet.”
As he comes aboard to relieve Acosta, Murnane brings a breadth of Fleet experience as he recently served as Fleet Oceanographer of U. S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia where he utilized FWC-N products to inform the decision makers at that level. He gave some insight into what he envisions for FWC-N as he assumes his role as commanding officer.
“I am humbled and excited to join this fantastic team and return to the building where my career in Naval oceanography started,” Murnane said. “It will be great to be working with Sailors and Civilians that are dedicated to our varied mission sets and focused on Fleet safety across the globe.”
Presiding over the ceremony, Rear Admiral Ron Piret expressed his pride and gratitude for all the work, achievements, and contributions to the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography community from Fleet Weather Center Norfolk.
The ceremony concluded with the traditional assumption of command where Capt. Murnane read his orders and officially relieved Capt. Acosta.
Fleet Weather Center Norfolk provides timely, accurate, and tactically relevant meteorological and oceanographic (METOC) products and services to Navy, Joint, Allied, and Coalition forces operating in Task Force 80, Second Fleet, Fourth Fleet, and Sixth Fleet Areas of responsibility in order to protect the Fleet and enable decision superiority for the warfighter.