Sumsion Relieved by Dutton at FDRMC Detachment Bahrain Change of Charge

From Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center Public Affairs

Cmdr. Timothy Dutton relieved Capt. William Sumsion as officer in charge of Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC) Detachment Bahrain in a change of charge ceremony held onboard U.S. Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Dec. 15, 2022.

FDRMC commander, Capt. Brian Karosich, presided over the ceremony. Karosich outlined Sumsion’s extensive accomplishments as officer in charge, expressed gratitude for his service and presented Sumsion with the Meritorious Service Medal.

During his tenure, Sumsion consistently delivered critical readiness to forward deployed naval forces operating in U.S. Fifth Fleet. He led 136 Sailors and civilians, working to keeping ships mission-ready. This required managing maintenance for a fleet of 14 homeported ships while supporting more than 30 deployed ships. Sumsion oversaw two successful Chief of Naval Operations availabilities, 44 continuous maintenance availabilities, 36 voyage repairs and more than 1,200 Casualty reports in the last 18 months. Additionally, Sumsion spearheaded major improvements for fire response during docking maintenance availabilities, driving institutional change in fire safety, fully integrating with international stakeholders. He also engaged with fleet stakeholders to expand maintenance operations outside of traditional hubs in U.S. Fifth Fleet. Finally, he oversaw the historic deployment of USS Sioux City (LCS 11), the first Littoral Combat Ship deployed U.S. Fifth and Sixth Fleets, proactively preparing for planned maintenance and navigating operational changes while executing all tasking and keeping the ship on mission.

“You accomplished this through clear and consistent leadership in an austere environment with a challenging fleet of aging ships alongside the arrival of new platforms – and did so all while working to mitigate major risk and innovating to become more responsive for highvisibility repairs,” Karosich said.

“I am grateful for the sacrifice you and your family made while you led our Bahrain team. Thank you for setting an example of leadership and hard work. FDRMC Detachment Bahrain has continued to grow and mature under your watch.”

Sumsion took the opportunity to reflect on his time leading FDRMC Detachment Bahrain and expressed gratitude saying, “success in ship maintenance requires effort & purpose. I feel extremely fortunate and grateful for the Bahrain team in their effort in producing success while I was here. As I now transition to the next job, we're all fortunate to have Tim as a great leader that will be able to continue in providing fighting ships for 5th fleet."

Incoming OIC, Cmdr. Timothy Dutton, is an Engineering Duty Officer and native of Brunswick, Maine. He most recently served as Deputy Director of Waterfront Operations at Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Centers, overseeing plans and policies implemented in the waterfront operations departments across the seven regional maintenance centers. He previously served at Supervisor of Shipbuilding Conversion and Repair Newport News, Southeast Regional Maintenance Center and Huntington Ingalls Industries. He qualified as a Submarine Warfare Officer while serving aboard USS George (SSGN 729).

FDRMC provides emergent, intermediate and depot-level maintenance and modernization for transient and Forward Deployed Naval Forces in U.S. Fifth and Sixth Fleets through fleet technical assistance, voyage repair, contract management oversight, assessments, and diving and salvage. For more information, visit https://www. navsea.navy.mil/Home/RMC/ FDRMC/.