Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) Weapons Division Point Mugu, Calif.--

America’s naval service began during the American Revolution in the year 1775 with a few small ships authorized by the Continental Congress.

Parading of colors, piping aboard and official military traditions will continue Wednesday, May 26 at 11 a.m. when Capt. Alex Hnarakis will take command from Capt. Mike Rabens of Naval Test Wing Pacific at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Point Mugu.

Words from the Navy creed states, “I am a U.S. sailor. I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world.”

A TOPGUN graduate, Hnarakis will be in charge of Air Test & Evaluation (VX) squadrons Three Zero at Point Mugu and Three One at China Lake, Calif. Both squadrons are comprised of men and women who are integral members of combat support for cutting-edge research, develop, test and evaluation of current and future Navy weapons and weapons systems.

A native of Alexandria, VA, Hnarakis graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978 with a B.S. degree in Physics, a M.S. in Systems Management from Univ. of So. Calif. in 1989 and in 1992 from the Naval War College.

Note: Biographies of Capt. Mike Rabens and Capt. Alex Hnarakis are available upon request.

Contact Adolph Mitchell, at the NAWC Weapons Division Public Affairs Office, 805-989-9206, by 9 a.m. Wednesday if you plan to attend the ceremony.

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