Stonington — Capt. Paul Whitescarver, commanding officer of the Naval Submarine Base, will discuss the base's history and its mission and role in an ever-changing world of fiscal challenges and dynamic threats as part of La Grua Center's Military Matters Lecture Series.

The talk, at 6 p.m. April 26, is open to the public with a suggested donation of $5. A Q&A and wine reception will follow. Free parking is available in the Stonington Commons parking lot, 32 Water St.

Whitescarver became the 51st commanding officer of the base in December 2015. A native of Roanoke, Va., he enlisted in the Navy in August 1980, serving 11 years in the enlisted ranks before being selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program. Graduating from Virginia Tech in 1991 with a degree in economics, he then completed his initial officer nuclear power and submarine training.

At sea, he has served in the submarines USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (SSN 708), USS Norfolk (SSN 714), and USS Alabama (SSBN 731). He commanded USS Scranton (SSN 752) from 2009 to 2012. Ashore, his assignments have included service on the Joint Staff and the Chief of Naval Operations staff. Prior to taking command in Groton, he served on the staff of the commander of Submarine Forces Atlantic in Norfolk, Va., as the operations officer.

For more information, visit www.lagruacenter.org.