Capt. Jedidiah Kloppel Steps Down as Commander of Navy’s MESG-1
Spearfish native Capt. Jedidiah Kloppel has stepped down as commander of the U.S. Navy's Maritime Expeditionary Security Group 1 (MESG-1) during a ceremony at Naval Base Coronado, California, transferring command to Capt. Mark Gillaspie.
Rapid City, SD, November 8, 2026 — A change of command ceremony took place at Naval Base Coronado, California, marking the transition of leadership for the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Security Group 1 (MESG-1). During the event, Capt. Jedidiah Kloppel, who hails from Spearfish, relinquished his command of the unit.
Capt. Mark Gillaspie assumed command of MESG-1, taking over from Capt. Kloppel. The Maritime Expeditionary Security Group 1 is a component of the U.S. Navy responsible for providing maritime security operations.
The specific date of the ceremony was not provided in the available information. Similarly, details regarding Capt. Kloppel’s next assignment or Capt. Gillaspie’s prior service were not disclosed. The U.S. Navy typically conducts change of command ceremonies to signify the formal transfer of responsibility and authority from one commanding officer to another.
MESG-1 is part of a larger command structure within the Navy, focused on protecting naval assets, enforcing maritime security, and supporting expeditionary warfare operations. These units often operate in challenging environments, requiring specialized training and equipment to ensure the safety and security of maritime approaches and key naval infrastructure.
Story summarized from the original created by Mary Francis Witte on www.kotatv.com, see more information here.
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