Capt. Brian C. Bungay relieved Capt. Bob A. Heely, Jr. as the commanding officer of Naval Base San Diego during a change-of-command ceremony held on the base on Aug. 28.
Since assuming command of the base in February 2023, Heely oversaw more than 2,000 sailors and civilians. He spearheaded the creation of the Tactical Warfighter Readiness Program, a three-day course with training designed to prepare sailors mentally, physically and emotionally.
His tenure was marked by responses to multiple real-world emergencies, including the January 2024 San Diego flooding that caused $9.2 million in damages to 40 structures on base, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake in April 2025, and a civilian plane crash into military housing in May 2025 that displaced 42 families.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this team of 2,000 civilians and military is a formidable force who take pride in ownership to another level,” said Heely.
Bungay comes to Naval Base San Diego from his most recent tour as commanding officer of the USS Kansas City.
