The day introduced the best circumstances for pomp to be on full show, and for that trigger the day wouldn’t disappoint. From a bellowing 19-gun salute to a posse of eight admirals to the Second Fleet Band in tow to carry out a string of a number of Navy requirements aboard an immaculately clear Bataan adorned in patriotic streamers.
There can be much more pageantry. Following the presentation of his end-of-tour Legion of Advantage award by Del Toro, Menoni was promoted with a second star as his spouse, Julie, stood at his facet, and the secretary administered the oath of workplace.
Then, close to the ceremony’s closing moments, the glitz quickly gave technique to the 2 profession naval warriors with a mixed 60-plus years of warfighting expertise between them. Every took their flip on the dais to current their very own remarks, however when each had completed what remained was a singular unvarnished name to motion that will collectively make clear the better objective for U.S. women and men in uniform.
After thanking his employees and others gathered, Menoni centered his remarks on the ever-increasing hostilities by the state actors who want hurt to the USA and concurrently threaten world peace and safety. Ought to the U.S. need to go to warfare, Menoni forecasted a quick-moving battle through which “weapons engagements will probably be extraordinarily quick, choice timelines will probably be compressed, and communications are prone to be degraded; merely put, the following warfare will probably be like nothing now we have seen in our lifetimes.” Menoni then challenged all ESG2 warfare commanders trying on by imploring them to critically self-assess their unit’s fight effectiveness and to instantly drive no matter enhancements are required for his or her Sailors and Marines to struggle and win.
“The price of inaction, of being okay with the established order, of doing enterprise as typical is simply too excessive,” mentioned Menoni. “The parents that may pay that invoice will probably be our most valuable asset – our little kids.”
Then it was Williams’ flip. He succinctly declared his intentions because the amphibious strike group’s subsequent boss and his expectations of all ESG2 commanders and commodores.
“I intend to empower all commanders at ESG2 to realize warfighting excellence,” mentioned Williams, a floor warfare officer who beforehand commanded a frigate, destroyer, and
destroyer squadron. “All commanders shall be biased towards motion and search alternatives in ambiguous conditions … I anticipate commanders to know the readiness of their ship, craft, and kit, and to personal it and lead your Sailors and Marines to get higher daily.”
The day additionally allowed these in attendance to mirror on a few of Menoni’s most substantial accomplishments throughout his comparatively transient, however important 10 months with ESG2 earlier than transferring to the Pentagon to develop into Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Technique, N3/N5B.
Del Toro cited Menoni’s management throughout the two-week lengthy Train Baltic Operations 2022 (BALTOPS 22) that accomplished every week previous to ESG2’s change of command. Hosted by Sweden and executed by 15 different NATO allies and contributors within the Sixth Fleet space of operations, Secretary Del Toro lauded Menoni’s BALTOPS efforts as commander of the amphibious activity drive in addition to the expeditionary strike group.
“Admiral Menoni and his staff embarked USS Mount Whitney on this train that concerned 45 ships from 16 nations dedicated to freedom of navigation and safety within the Baltic Sea,” Del Toro mentioned. “I lately visited Sweden’s Embassy to the U.S., and I can guarantee you they appreciated your management and efficiency throughout that train. Due to your efforts, our forces have been prepared to fulfill U.S. European Combatant Commander tasking at any second’s discover all through the AOR.”
Del Toro additionally applauded the outgoing commander’s “clear eyed focus” to assist repair ongoing challenges for the Navy. Quickly after becoming a member of ESG2 final September, Menoni asserted his duty to take care of readiness by making clear his expectations that each one ESG2 command members keep compliance with NAVSEA 8010 steering on fireplace prevention and response in an industrial surroundings – phrases was motion after Menoni drove a vigorous classes realized effort to an viewers of senior-ranking admirals days after the completion of a Chapter 13 fireplace drill aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1) as she lay within the shipyards. The drill facilitated standardized naval firefighting coaching aboard Wasp together with an added a layer of complexity by way of the activation of Mid-Atlantic Area Upkeep Middle’s emergency operation heart on Naval Station Norfolk the place Menoni and his colleagues exercised command and management administration with native and authorities firefighting assets.
Commissioned in 1992 by way of Naval Reserve Officer Coaching Corps program at Cornell College, Williams is now ESG2’s fifteenth commander because the command stood up in 2007. The Reston, Va. native will now be trusted to offer oversight and administration of its 12,500 Sailors and Marines from throughout 32 subordinate models, together with 14 amphibious ships, 5 Naval Seaside Group models, two tactical air squadrons, and two expeditionary sea base ships.
Together with his last phrases as ESG2 commander, Menoni adopted his admission of disappointment in having to go away a job he so loved with an endorsement for the person changing him.
“If I needed to hand choose somebody to take over for me, it might be you, Tom,” mentioned Menoni. “You’re the proper man to guide this staff ahead and get them prepared for no matter is thrown their manner.”
