NEWPORT – Capt. Michael R. Coughlin will become commanding officer of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, relieving Capt. Geoffrey G. deBeauclair, during a change of command ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday.
Coughlin has served aboard numerous submarines and also commanded the nuclear powered attack submarine USS Olympia (SSN 771).
His shore assignments have included duty on the staff of Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Office of the Secretary of Defense for Program Analysis and Evaluation; and as deputy commander for Submarine Squadron Three.
A 1990 graduate of Northwestern University with a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering, Coughlin also holds a master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University and received his commission from the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at Northwestern.
Since entering the Navy’s Acquisition Corps, Coughlin has been involved with program management responsibility for undersea defensive warfare systems.
In June 2016, deBeauclair reported as commander, NUWC Division Newport. deBeauclair took over after Capt. Howard Goldman was relieved of duty following a loss of confidence in Goldman’s ability to command.
After the change of command, deBeauclair will retire from the Navy after 30 years of service.
