Rushmore Holds Change of Command

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Jailene Casso | 180525-N-BN355-0152 SAN DIEGO (May 25,2018) Cmdr. John W. Ryan, from Loudonville, N.Y., is relieved by Cmdr. John C. Tryon, from Attleboro, Mass., on the flight deck of Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) during a change of command ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jailene Casso/Released)  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

05.25.2018

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Reymundo Villegas 

Amphibious Squadron 1

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) held a change of command ceremony aboard the ship on May 25.

Cmdr. Robert C. Tryon relieved Cmdr. John W. Ryan and assumed all duties and responsibilities as the commanding officer of Rushmore in a ceremony attended by distinguished visitors, family and crew.

Cmdr. Ryan, a native of Loudonville, New York, commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps upon graduating from Villanova University with a Bachelor’s of Civil Engineering in 1999. He assumed command of Rushmore in January 2017.

During the ceremony, Ryan credited the success of his tour to the teamwork and hard work of Rushmore’s Sailors.

"When I took command last January, we set four goals for the ship that day," said Ryan. "Pass light ff assessment on the first try. Conduct safe operations at sea. Pass all basic phase events on the first try. Lastly, beat the LSD-class average at INSURV. 16 months later, we clearly know that all those objectives were met."
Ryan said he was thankful to all of Rushmore for giving him the tour most commanding officers dream about. He encouraged the Sailors to spread the spirit of Rushmore across the fleet and foster the same environment.

Capt. Gerald R. Olin, commander of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 1, was the guest speaker at the event.

"To the men and women of Rushmore, your accomplishments under the leadership of Commander Ryan have been truly inspiring,” said Olin. "I see a ship that has gone through its paces; transitioning from a challenging shipyard period, through the basic training phase, and into integrated fleet operations."
Olin said that he was confident in Rushmore’s crew under the leadership of Cmdr. Tryon. He expressed that Rushmore was prepared to execute all missions with passion, precision and unsurpassed professionalism.

Ryan read his orders while being relieved by Cmdr. Tryon.

Tryon, a native of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, received his commission from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1999. He assumed command following his previous assignment as Executive Officer of Rushmore.

"I could not have asked for a better commanding officer or mentor," said Tryon. "I speak for Team Rushmore when I say that we would serve with you again, any time, any place. Rushmore is the hardest working crew I’ve ever been a part of, and the focus and dedication of the ship’s crew inspire the best in everyone who meets the crew. It is an honor and privilege to command such a great ship, and I could not ask for a better crew."

Rushmore was the second Navy ship to be named for the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The assigned mission of the dock landing ship is to transport and launch loaded amphibious craft and vehicles with their crews and embarked personnel in amphibious assaults by landing craft and amphibious vehicles.

Rushmore is homeported in San Diego and is preparing for a summer deployment as part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

For more news from USS Rushmore visit http://www.rushmore.navy.mil and https://www.facebook.com/USSRushmore/.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

• Date Taken: 05.25.2018
• Date Posted: 05.25.2018 22:45
• Story ID: 278535
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US