DESRON 60 Commodore Changes Command

Photo By Chief Petty Officer David Holmes | Capt. Cynthia M. Thebaud thanks the audience upon assuming command of Destroyer Squadron 60 from Capt. John B. Nowell during a ceremony aboard USS Mount Whitney, August 1, 2008. Thebaud will also take over as commander of Africa Partnership Station, the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe initiative to enhance cooperative partnerships with regional maritime services and improving safety and security in West and Central Africa by working with a host of other services, European nations and non-governmental organizations.  

08.01.2008

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet

By the U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs Office

GAETA, Italy – Capt. John B. Nowell, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 60 turned over command to Capt. Cynthia M. Thebaud during a ceremony aboard USS Mount Whitney, August 1.

Thebaud will also take over as commander of Africa Partnership Station, a Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe initiative to enhance cooperative partnerships with regional maritime services and improving safety and security in West and Central Africa by working with a host of other services, European nations and non-governmental organizations.

"Almost two years ago, I had the honor and privilege to assume command of Destroyer Squadron 60 on this very same deck with the beautiful backdrop of Gaeta you see today," said Nowell. "Turning over command of these ships and Sailors is somewhat akin to entrusting your children to someone else which is never an easy task. I have no doubt that she will take global maritime partnerships to a new level."

Nowell assumed the duties of DESRON 60 and Commander, Task Force 65 in August 2006. In addition to those duties, he also served as the Maritime Force Commander for Joint Task Force Lebanon that year and was the Commander of Task Force West and Central Africa embarked aboard USS Fort McHenry from October 2007 to April 2008. Here, he was in command of a multi-national force of ships, submarines, aircraft, expeditionary partnership teams and land-based forces conducting the inaugural APS deployment.

Thebaud, a Surface Warfare Officer and Connecticut native, graduated with distinction from the US Naval Academy in 1985 with a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. She also holds a Master of Arts Degree in Security Policy Studies from The George Washington University, is an honors graduate of the Naval War College, and is Joint Specialty Officer qualified.

Her most recent assignment was Director, Division of Professional Development at the U.S. Naval Academy.

"I very much look forward to the challenges this assignment will present. It is truly an honor and privilege to stand before you here today as the fourth Commodore of Destroyer Squadron Six Zero," said Thebaud.

• Date Taken: 08.01.2008
• Date Posted: 08.01.2008 11:06
• Story ID: 22036