CDR Chris Gahl

Past Commanding Officer, USS Barry (DDG 52)

24 May 2020

A native of Bethesda, MD, CDR Chris Gahl graduated from the US Naval Academy in 2002. He has also earned a Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School. At sea as a Division Officer, he served in USS PAUL HAMILTON (DDG 60) as Communications Officer and USS LAKE ERIE (CG 70) as Damage Control Assistant. As an afloat Department Head, Gahl served as Engineer Officer in USS KAUFFMAN (FFG 59), deploying to the Gulf of Aden in support of the Standing Nato Maritime Group in Operation OCEAN SHIELD. He then served as Engineer Officer in USS MONTEREY (CG 61) where MONTEREY deployed to 5th fleet on a Ballistic Missile Defense deployment.

Ashore, Gahl served a brief stop at Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force as an Operational Test Director for the Tactical Tomahawk Weapon System. While at COMOPTEVFOR, he was selected to serve as an individual augmentee in Iraq. He served as a Battalion Electronic Warfare Officer for an Army Squadron (5/73 Cavalry 82nd Airborne Division) for 10 months. After his department head tours, Gahl reported to OPNAV N96 as the Requirements Officer for Aegis Ashore, Naval Integrated Fire Control – Counter Air, and Strike Force Interoperability. Following this tour, he reported to the surface ship modernization program office, PMS 407, as the Cruiser and Dock Landing Ship modernization Principal Assistant Program Manager. He most recently served as the Executive Officer in the finest forward deployed destroyer, USS BARRY (DDG 52).