The ceremony was held on the ship’s flight deck, with Capt. Greg Baker, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 11, presiding.
Ward’s tour included main workout routines and operations for America and embarked components of the thirty first Marine Expeditionary Unit, together with Talisman Sabre (TS) 21 and Massive Scale International Train (LSGE) 21, in addition to bilateral cooperative deployments with the Japan Maritime and Air Self-Protection Forces, the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Netherlands Navy, and the British Royal Navy’s UK Provider Strike Group (CSG-21) led by HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08).
Throughout Talisman Sabre and LSGE, America refueled 5 ships from the U.S. and three accomplice nations in a four-week span, flexing the potential to maintain and prolong time on station for companions and allies. America capped off the yr with a first-in-class strategic port go to to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni.
“The tempo has been quick and livid, and I’ve requested numerous the oldsters assembled in ranks right here at present … however you rose to the event and exceeded expectations at each flip,” mentioned Ward, addressing the ship’s crew. “Most COs depart a tour and might isolate that one occasion that outlined who their crew is throughout a tour, however you guys have simply crushed each process and kicked down so many doorways, my listing of your excellent accomplishments is huge … really setting the usual for the world’s navies.
“Whereas I’d by no means ask you to relaxation in your laurels,” Ward added, “I do ask that you just take a second at present, breathe, and benefit from the view from the summit. I really like and am pleased with each certainly one of you. You made America the nice command that it’s.”
Snyder, who assumed command as a part of the Navy floor drive’s “fleet-up” mannequin, had served because the ship’s govt officer since November 2020.
“It has been really humbling to see the super work that the America crew places in day by day and the way profitable the ship has been,” mentioned Snyder. “I’m honored to have the ability to proceed to work alongside these women and men because the commanding officer.”
Snyder, America’s seventh commanding officer, graduated from the US Naval Academy and acquired his fee in 1997. A floor warfare officer, Snyder served at sea aboard USS Boone (FFG 28), USS Ashland (LSD 48), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and USS Vicksburg (CG 69). He commanded USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60), USS Sioux Metropolis (LCS 11) (Blue Crew), and Naval Floor Squadron (SURFRON) 5, which included 14 patrol craft and mine countermeasure ships forward-deployed to Manama, Bahrain. His shore excursions embody Naval Recruiting District New England, in addition to the staffs of U.S. Particular Operations Command Africa, and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. fifth Fleet.
Ward’s subsequent project will probably be as American Legation U.S. Naval Attaché to Argentina on the U.S. Embassy, Buenos Aires.
America, the lead ship of the America Amphibious Prepared Group, is working within the U.S. seventh Fleet space of accountability to boost interoperability with allies and companions, and function a prepared response drive to defend peace and stability within the Indo-Pacific area.
