MSC’s new vice commander

Barry Lake photo

Rear Adm. Hugo G. Blackwood, USNR, became vice commander, Military Sealift Command, on Jan. 21, 2005. He has been serving as MSC's deputy commander since October 2003.

"I am very proud to be given this opportunity as vice commander to help mold the MSC of the future," said Rear Adm. Blackwood.

Rear Adm. Blackwood graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1973, and began his career upon reporting for duty on the destroyer USS Cone. After serving aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Sellers, Rear Adm. Blackwood transferred to the U.S. Naval Reserve in 1981 and again served on USS Cone. He served on board several ships as a naval reservist including the frigate USS Blakely, the guided missile frigate USS Samuel Eliot Morison and the amphibious assault ship USS Inchon. For his final ship tour, Rear Adm. Blackwood was the executive officer of the Area Air Defense Coordination Atlantic Unit, assigned to Commander 2nd Fleet aboard the command ship USS Mount Whitney.

Rear Adm. Blackwood was selected for promotion to flag rank on Feb. 23, 2001.

As a civilian, Rear Adm. Blackwood has spent more than 20 years working for the aluminum manufacturing company, Alcoa Inc. He is a leading member of their corporate maintenance and reliability team.

"MSC is an exciting place to be," said Rear Adm. Blackwood. "From the new Lewis and Clark-class ships to the assuming of the operations of two command ships, great things are happening here, and I'm glad to be a part of it all."