Commanding Officer Captain Gombas entered the United States Naval Academy as a Midshipman in July of 1986. In May 1990, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering and was commissioned as an Ensign. Following nuclear power training and the Surface Warfare Officer School Division Officer Course, he reported to USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) for an April 1992 to May 1995 tour of duty. He served as the Mechanical Five Division Officer, Reactor Controls Two Division Officer, and Senior Reactor Mechanical Division Officer. This tour included one year of a complex overhaul and two years of operational time (including one deployment).
In June 1995, Gombas reported to Naval Reactors (NAVSEA 08) in Washington, D.C., serving in the Surface Ship Fluid Systems department. During this two year tour, he was selected for lateral transfer into the Engineering Duty Officer Community while retaining his nuclear qualifications. Gombas transferred in November 1997 to the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), serving as the Main Propulsion Assistant through new construction, commissioning, and the post shakedown availability.
In January 2000, Gombas reported to the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. His thesis work was in the area of reducing the heat signature of the exhaust of marine gas turbine engines. Gombas completed the Engineering Duty Officer Basic Course in May 2002.
Gombas reported to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in June 2002. He served as the Habitability Integration leader and Military Deputy Project Superintendent on the USS George Washington (CVN 73) FY03 Planned Incremental Availability and as the Military Deputy Project Superintendent on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) FY04 Drydocking Planned Incremental Availability. He also served as the Regional Maintenance Officer for Norfolk Naval Shipyard and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center managing 11 Regional Repair Centers until June 2005. Gombas completed the Engineering Duty Officer Senior Course and the Advanced Program Management course during this tour.
In June 2005, Gombas transferred to Naval Air Forces (West) Staff in San Diego, CA, serving as the Force Naval Engineer for all aircraft carriers on both coasts. In March 2007, he reported to Southeast Regional Maintenance Center as the Waterfront Operations Officer, responsible for all depot level maintenance on the 21 surface ships stationed at Mayport Naval Station. During this tour, Gombas was selected for promotion to Captain. In October 2009, Captain Gombas transferred to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as the Business and Strategic Planning Officer and in August 2010 he became the Operations Officer. On July 28, 2011, Capt. Gombas assumed command of Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division – Ship Systems Engineering Station in Philadelphia, Pa. On July 26, 2013, Capt. Gombas assumed command of Southeast Regional Maintenance Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
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