Navy Region Mid-Atlantic welcomes new commander

The Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, based in Norfolk, has a new commander.

On Friday, after little more than a year on the job and 36 years in the service, Rear Adm. Carl Lahti was relieved by Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett as commander during a ceremony at Vista Point onboard Naval Station Norfolk. Barnett was most recently commander of Navy Region Hawaii and left its command in August.

As commander, Barnett will be the regional coordinator for all shore-based naval personnel and shore activities in the Mid-Atlantic region, which encompasses 20 states, 13 installations and numerous Navy reserve centers from Maine to Virginia and as far west as Illinois.

A native of Columbia, Tennessee, Barnett previously served as the commander for Navy Region Northwest and commander of Navy Region Southwest. Other assignments included commanding officer of Naval Base Coronado in California, chief of staff for commander at Navy Region Southeast and commander at Navy Installations Command.

Vice Adm. Scott Gray was the presiding officer for the event. Gray himself led the Navy Mid-Atlantic region earlier this decade, leaving in 2023 to lead the Navy Installations Command in Washington, D.C.

Lahti assumed command in July 2024, after succeeding Rear Adm. Wesley McCall, who took over after Gray. The Navy says that during his tour, Lahti provided a full spectrum of shore installation management as well as services to operating forces and Navy families within the region’s area of responsibility. The Navy credits him with “fostering a workforce that energetically resolved the Navy’s most complex challenges to sustain the fleet, enable the fighter and support the family.”

Immediately after the change of command, Lahti retired from the Navy after serving more than 36 years of commissioned service.