from staff
Rear Adm. Michael C. Vitale will relieve Rear Adm. Mark S. Boensel as Commander, Navy Region Southeast, during a 10 a.m. ceremony today aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
No stranger to the Jacksonville area, Vitale served as Commander, Destroyer Squadron Two Four (CCG 24) at Naval Station Mayport from August 1999 to March 2001, and most recently served as Commander, Carrier Strike Group Two in Norfolk, Va.
He has also served as Director of Navy Senate Liaison in the Office of Legislative Affairs, Washington, D.C., from August 2003 to June 2006. After his selection to the one-star rank of Rear Admiral Lower Half, Vitale reported as Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Commander, Naval Surface Group, Middle Pacific. He was promoted to the two-star rank of Rear Admiral Upper Half prior to his arrival back in Jacksonville.
Boensel assumed command of Navy Region Southeast in December 2005. He is reporting as Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic.