WESTGATE@CRANE Technology Park, (Odon) Indiana — The White River Military Coordination Alliance welcomed two new commanding officers of NSA Crane and NSWC Crane during the Alliance’s third-quarter meeting in early August.
Commander James L. Smith, commanding officer of NSA Crane, and Captain Thomas (Duncan) McKay, commanding officer of NSWC Crane, both started their new positions at the southern Indiana installation in July 2020. Smith will represent Crane in the Alliance’s efforts to strengthen the relationship between Crane and the community.
“NSA Crane is committed to working with the Alliance collaboratively toward the mutual goals of protecting the Installation’s ability to perform its mission in support of the warfighter,” Smith said. “At the same time, we work to ensure that we have the opportunity for economic prosperity in the region and in the state of Indiana.”
Smith and McKay both recognized the Alliance’s achievements in increasing communication with the surrounding communities and creating new regional economic growth opportunities.
“The tremendous level of support the Alliance has for our community is already evident to me,” McKay said. “It’s exciting to see the level of involvement and support that Crane gets from the government at the municipal, state and federal level. We feel incredibly fortunate to have such a significant level of support for our missions.”
About Commander James Smith, Commanding Officer, NSA Crane
Commander James Smith is a 2002 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering and was commissioned as an Ensign. He also completed Naval Nuclear Power training and a Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering and Analysis at the Naval Post Graduate School.
Smith completed multiple sea tours in various roles, including Electronic Warfare and Communications Officer, Reactor Laboratories Officer, Combat Systems Officer, Main Propulsion Assistant, and Executive Officer. He served on the staff of the Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic as the Deputy Officer in Charge of the Surface Nuclear Propulsion Mobile Training Team, and most recently served as an Opposition Force Director for Commander Carrier Strike Group 15.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards.
About Captain Duncan McKay, Commanding Officer, NSWC Crane Division
Captain Duncan McKay graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Florida State University in 1996, and was commissioned as an Ensign the same year after completion of Officer Candidate School. He also earned a Naval Engineer’s Degree and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2006.
McKay’s first assignment was to the fast attack submarine USS Alexandria. He reported to Commander Submarine Squadron Eleven as the Battlegroup Operations Officer before beginning his graduate education in 2003. McKay’s roles following his graduate education included military deputy for submarine maintenance and serving as the repair officer for multiple projects. He most recently served as Production Resources and Operations Officer at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit awards.
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About the White River Military Coordination Alliance
The Alliance is a community organization that was formed in 2018 to promote positive development and growth in the communities that surround Naval Support Activity Crane and Lake Glendora Test Facility (Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin and Sullivan counties) by facilitating two-way communication between the communities, counties, state agencies, and NSA Crane. The focus of our 24-member alliance is to create opportunities for economic prosperity and land conservation in the region, safeguard Crane’s military mission, and protect community health and safety. We would encourage the community to take our survey about Crane at WRMCAlliance.com. Follow the Alliance on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.