CDR Christopher Polnaszek

Past Commanding Officer, USS Augusta (LCS 34) Blue Crew

14 December 2022

Cmdr. Christopher Polnaszek is a native of Charleston, S.C. He received his commission at the United States Naval Academy in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography. He is a graduate of the Pashto course at the Defense Language Institute-East.
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Commander Polnaszek’s sea tours include a large variety of traditional and expeditionary sea tours. He was aboard USS Antietam (CG 54) as the communications officer; Riverine Squadron Two, as Boat Detachment Three Assistant Officer in Charge, where he deployed to Iraq and led 50 combat patrols on the Euphrates River in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; Maritime Expeditionary Squadron Three as Boat Division Three Four OIC, where he deployed as CTG 56.7, to Dubai and Fujairah providing port security in the C5F Area of Responsibility. He was an inaugural member of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Hands program, and spent a year in Afghanistan supporting intelligence operations with 1/8 Marines and 1st RCT. He was also the weapons and Combat Systems Officer aboard USS Decatur (DDG 73).

Ashore, Polnaszek served at Mine-countermeasure Division Three One, earned his Integrated Air Missile Defense Warfare Tactics Instructor patch and served at Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center as the Academic and Training Officer.

His current assignment is as USS Augusta (LCS 34) Blue crew’s commanding officer.

His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards), and various service and campaign awards.