CDR Stephen J. Skahen

Commanding Officer, USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123)

10 January 2025 Commander Skahen is a native of Newport Beach, CA, and is a 2007 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Naval Architecture from USNA and a Masters Degree in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and Joint Professional Military Education Phase I from the Naval War College.

His sea assignments include Communications Officer onboard USS RAMAGE (DDG 61); Main Propulsion Assistant onboard USS ANTIETEM (CG 54); Chief Engineer onboard USS MILIUS (DDG 69); Material Officer for Amphibious Squadron THREE (CPR3), and Future Operations Officer for Destroyer Squadron TWO THREE (CDS23).

Ashore, he was selected as an instructor with Surface Warfare Officer Introduction Course at Afloat Training Group San Diego, an instructor and Engineering and ATFP modules lead for Basic Division Officer Course San Diego, and the Chief Staff Officer for Surface Development Squadron ONE.  He previously served as Executive Officer onboard USS LENAH SUTCLIFFE HIGBEE (DDG 123) from October 2023 to November 2024. He is currently serving as the Commanding Officer onboard USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123).