Rear Admiral Dwyer Takes Helm of PEO Carriers

By JOC David Nagle, Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs Rear Adm. Dennis Dwyer relieved Rear Adm. Roland Knapp as Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Aircraft Carriers during a Change of Command ceremony on July 26 at the Washington Navy Yard. Dwyer, a Philadelphia native, leads the team responsible for the acquisition and development of aircraft carriers and air platforms of the future, as well as modernizing and upgrading the present carrier fleet to support the Chief of Naval Operation's "Sea Power 21" concept. Knapp, who commanded PEO Carriers since February 2000, retired after 33 years of Naval service. Knapp's leadership paved the way for a number of milestones in PEO Carriers, including the christening of Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), installation of Smart Carrier demonstration technology and designing and beginning acquisition for the next generation of aircraft carrier. Dwyer, an engineering duty officer, most recently served as Director for Strategic Systems Programs in Washington D.C. Previous assignments include USS Luce (DDG 38), Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair Newport News, Norfolk Naval Shipyard and command of the Naval Electronic Systems Security Engineering Center. He is a 1973 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and holds a Master's degree in electrical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Source: NAVSEA