- Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt is now the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln
- Amy Bauernschmidt had served as executive officer of the same aircraft carrier, the Abraham Lincoln, between 2016 and 2019 – another first for a woman
Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt is now the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln — becoming the first woman to lead a nuclear carrier in U.S. Navy history says an article in Navy Times.
Change of command
Bauernschmidt, who previously served as the carrier’s executive officer from 2016-2019, relieved Capt. Walt “Sarge” Slaughter of his duties Aug. 19 during a change of command ceremony in San Diego.
Capt. Bauernschmidt remarks:
“There is no more humbling sense of responsibility than to know you are entrusted with the care of the people who have chosen to protect our nation,” Bauernschmidt said, according to a Navy news release. “Thank you, Capt. Slaughter, for turning over the finest ship in the fleet.”
About the aircraft carrier
The carrier, homeported at Naval Air Station North Island, California, wrapped up its maintenance period in April, following a 294-day, round-the-world deployment. The Lincoln left Norfolk Naval Base, Va., its previous homeport, in April 2019
After its deployment was extended twice — arrived at its new homeport in Coronado in January 2020. The Navy announced in December 2020 that Bauernschmidt had been tapped to command the Lincoln.
Graduation
After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1994, Bauernschmidt became a helicopter pilot and was assigned to Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 45, the “Wolfpack,” in San Diego. While assigned to HSL-45, she deployed with destroyer John Young in support of maritime interdiction operations in the northern Arabian Gulf.
Assignments
Subsequent assignments include serving as an instructor pilot and quality assurance officer with the “Seahawks” of HSL-41 in San Diego, and as the senior military advisor to the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues at the U.S. State Department.
CO tour
This isn’t Bauernschmidt’s first CO tour. She previously served as the commanding officer of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 70 and the amphibious transport dock in San Diego. Altogether, she has racked up more than 3,000 flight hours during her career.
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Source: Navy Times
