Capt. Tim LaBenz assumed command from Capt. Tom Ogden of DESRON 7, the Navy’s solely forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia.
Following a primarily digital change of command ceremony in 2021 on account of measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this ceremony aboard Charleston included all the DESRON 7 workers in addition to family and friends of the incoming and outgoing commodores along with being broadcast to attendees internationally.
“The change of command ceremony is a time-honored custom that honors our heritage, formally notes the transition of command from one officer to a different, and celebrates our accomplishments. There’s no higher place to do it then on the deck of one in every of our deployed Navy warships,” stated Ogden.
Ogden arrived at DESRON 7 in November 2019, first serving because the command’s deputy commodore earlier than assuming the position of commodore in February 2021. As commodore, Ogden supported the first-ever simultaneous rotational deployment of three Independence-variant littoral fight ships USS Jackson (LCS 6), USS Tulsa (LCS 16) and Charleston to the Indo-Pacific.
Ogden additionally commanded the DESRON 7 workers embark of the united statesAmerica (LHA 6) in the summertime and fall of 2021, through which the workers held and executed a wide range of duties throughout the Talisman Sabre 2021 train. Whereas main sea fight throughout this train, DESRON 7 held tactical management of over 17 items together with ships and plane from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, and the UK. The train resulted within the DESRON 7’s Sea Fight Commander (SCC) certification.
“All credit score for these previous 19 months goes to the adaptability, dedication and tenacity of the Golden Arrows of DESRON 7,” stated Ogden. “Our workers’s means to concurrently function SCC, plan and execute theater safety cooperation workout routines, and assist LCS out of Singapore and Guam whereas working from Bangladesh to Japan and south to Australia is a testomony to those women and men of whom I’ve had the privilege to work with.”
As DESRON 7 seems to be ahead, the command plans to proceed to flex its capabilities by taking part in advanced workout routines and operations all through U.S. seventh Fleet in 2022 and past.
“It has been my privilege to function deputy commodore, and I’m honored for the chance to function commodore and construct upon Captain Ogden’s basis and successes,” stated LaBenz.
LaBenz arrived in January 2021, following time at Navy Personnel Command, Floor Officer Distribution Division (PERS-41) because the department head (PERS-412), answerable for detailing all floor warfare officer junior officers for assignments as division officers, division heads and early command officers.
He beforehand served because the commanding officer and government officer of USS Sampson (DDG 102), which together with deployments to the U.S. fifth and seventh Fleet areas of duty as a part of the Theodore Roosevelt Service Strike Group. Underneath his command, Sampson supplied earthquake reduction efforts throughout the ship’s historic go to to New Zealand, marking the primary U.S. Navy ship to go to the nation in over thirty years.
“Working within the Indo-Pacific offers distinctive challenges and alternatives,” stated LaBenz. “I’m so grateful to be main a workers of Officers and Sailors who perceive the area’s significance and complexities. I stay up for all the pieces we accomplish collectively.”
Charleston, a part of DESRON 7, is on a rotational deployment, working within the U.S. seventh Fleet space of operations to reinforce interoperability with companions and function a ready-response power in assist of a free and open Indo-Pacific area.
Because the U.S. Navy’s destroyer squadron forward-deployed in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the first tactical and operational commander of littoral fight ships rotationally deployed to Singapore, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7’s Sea Fight Commander, and builds partnerships by coaching workout routines and military-to-military engagements.
Underneath Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, seventh Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific area.
