Commanding Officer

Captain David A. Lausman is a native of Detroit, Michigan.  After receiving a B.S. in Education from Wayne State University in Detroit, he entered the U.S. Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School in October, 1982.  He successfully completed flight training in July, 1984 at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Florida.

He received initial orders to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron EIGHT and completed two Western Pacific Deployments onboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) prior to being selected to attend USNTPS which he graduated from in December 1988.   He was assigned to Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Directorate until March, 1991 where he piloted more than 48 jet, helicopter, multi-engine and sailplane aircraft.  His major test programs included pre-fleet introduction testing on the SH-60F, HH-60H, VH-60N and the program manager for the foreign military sales of the Taiwan S-70C THUNDERHAWK.

Captain Lausman was briefly assigned back to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron EIGHT in order to participate in their transition to the SH-60F/HH-60H aircraft before being assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron TEN as the Tactics Department Head providing initial training for all squadrons in Combat Search and Rescue, Naval Special Warfare Support, low level overland and unrestricted Night Vision Goggle flight operations.

In August, 1993, he was again assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron EIGHT completing the USS MIDWAY (CV 41)/USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) cross-deck and two western Pacific deployments aboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) and USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) Battle Groups.  During this tour, he was assigned duties as Operations, Administration and Tactics Department Head and served as the Detachment Officer in Charge for two forward deployed Combat Search and Rescue Detachments based in Kuwait.

Captain Lausman attended the Naval War College and graduated in June, 1997 with a Masters of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.  He reported to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron FOURTEEN aboard USS INDEPENDENCE, June, 1998 as Executive Officer.  On September 15, 1999, he assumed the duties of Commanding Officer through December 13, 2000. During this tour he completed the USS INDEPENDENCE/USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) and a no-notice deployment to the Commander 5th FLEET Area of Responsibility (AOR).

In January, 2001, Captain Lausman was assigned to U.S. Pacific Command J6 Command, Control, Communication and Computer Systems Directorate where he served until November, 2002 filling billets as J61, J62 and Director Joint Warrior Interoperability Demonstration 2002/3 (JWID) hosted by PACOM.   He specifically worked closely with the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand on implementing and improving all phases of joint communication interoperability and accreditation. 

Captain Lausman was the Executive Officer aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) September, 2004 to May, 2006 executing a five month early FRP deployment and two deployments to the western Pacific in support of 7TH Fleet Tasking including tsunami relief efforts of OPERATION UNIFIED ASSISTANCE.  In June, 2006, he was assigned to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ) as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Exercises(N3/N5/N7), working closely with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defense Agency and commander of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) to enhance the alliance between the U.S. and Japan.

In March, 2007 Captain Lausman assumed command of USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC 19) until July, 2008.  He assumed Command of the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) in April, 2009 and has completed three Selected Restricted Availabilities (SRA), an emergency sortie in response to the March, 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami and distressed civilian nuclear power generation plant, and is currently making plans for his third deployment patrol in the 7th Fleet AOR.

Captain Lausman’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and numerous campaign and unit citations.  He has completed twelve Western Pacific operational deployments and flown more than 5,300 flight hours, 3,600 in the SH-60F/HH-60H, and has more than 1,000 overland NVG hours.