USS Bataan hold change of command

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

11.06.2014

Courtesy Story

USS Bataan (LHD 5)

NORFOLK, Va. — Capt. John Carter relieved Capt. George J. Vassilakis as commanding officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) Nov. 5, 2014 during a change of command ceremony in the ship's hangar bay at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

As part of the event, Chief of Naval Personnel, Vice Adm. Bill Moran served as the guest speaker.

Under his command, Vassilakis guided the flagship of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group in the completion of a recent nine-month deployment in support of maritime security operations, crisis response, theater security cooperation and provided a forward naval presence in the U.S. Navy’s 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

During his farewell speech, Vassilakis talked of the hard work and dedication of today’s Sailors and Marines, especially during the deployment.

"These Sailors and Marines are the real heroes of our time,” said Vassilakis. “They risk their lives not for the glory of a moment but for the peace, security, and freedom of a lifetime.”

“For those of you who are in uniform today, I say that the critics are wrong – you are dedicated, honest, loyal, hard working, and self-sacrificing. To all of you veterans and retirees, and of my generation – rest easy shipmates. USS Bataan has the watch. Freedom is not cheap, but this crew is prepared and ready to defend it wherever and whenever.”

Bataan welcomes a familiar face as Vassilakis handed over command to his executive officer. Carter’s tour aboard the ship is part of the Navy's Executive Officer to Commanding Officer Fleet-Up program. Carter, a native of Hampton Bays, NY, became Bataan's 13th commanding officer since the ship was commissioned on Sept. 20, 1997.

A 1988 graduate of the University of Rochester, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. He earned a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from U.S. Naval War College. He began his career as the reactor controls officer and reactor training assistant aboard USS Mississippi (CGN-40). Carter has commanded two ships, USS Salvor (ARS-52) from 2001 to 2003, and USS Roosevelt (DDG-80) from 2006 to 2008.

Bataan is the fifth ship of the Navy's Wasp-class ships and is the second U.S. Navy warship to bear the name. CVL-29 was an Independence-class small aircraft carrier that was commissioned in November 1943. After serving in both World War II and the Korean conflict, CVL-29 was decommissioned in 1954.

For more news from USS Bataan (LHD 5), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd5/.

• Date Taken: 11.06.2014
• Date Posted: 11.06.2014 15:12
• Story ID: 147229
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US