Cmdr. Christopher W. Van Loenen
Commanding Officer, USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44)
22 January 2024
A native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Commander Van Loenen enlisted in 1997 and served onboard USS STETHEM (DDG 63) as an Operations Specialist Second Class. In 2000, he was selected for the Broaden Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training program and later joined the College of the Holy Cross NROTC unit. Commander Van Loenen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Worcester State College and a Masters of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
A career surface warfare officer, Commander Van Loenen shipboard assignments include: USS MCCAMPBELL (DDG 85) as Main Propulsion Division Officer and Anti-submarine Warfare Officer, USS GREEN BAY (LPD 20) as Navigator, USS PORTER (DDG 78) as Chief Engineer, AMPHIBIOUS SQUADRON 1 as Logistics Officer and Operations Officer, and USS GUNSTON HALL (LSD 44) as Executive Officer. Ashore, he served as an officer instructor at the AEGIS Training and Readiness Command, and he also served as a maritime warfare instructor at the Surface Warfare Officer School.
His personal decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit, campaign, and service awards.
Commander Van Loenen assumed command in December 2022.