Task Force 56 Holds Change of Command Ceremony

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

06.10.2019

Story by NAVCENT Public Affairs    

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s expeditionary combat force, Task Force (TF) 56, held a change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, June 10.
Capt. Stephen Jackson relieved Capt. Brad Andros as commander of TF 56 in a ceremony presided over by Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet.

During his speech, Malloy praised the TF 56 team for their dynamic work and thanked Andros for his success as task force commander.

“The service members of Task Force 56, under Commodore Andros’ wise and steady command, have had a marked impact on this region,” said Malloy. “The TF 56 team has made itself a highly integrated, essential force in our arsenal and, for that, I am incredibly proud and grateful.”

After his speech, Malloy handed the microphone over to Andros who addressed the audience, thanked his family and praised his team for their work.

“You are where the rubber meets the road, and the ones who stare risk in the eye,” said Andros. “This fact is never lost on me and I sincerely thank you for the disciplined, flexible and consistent approach you take to ensure fighting power.”

Andros formally relinquished command to Johnson with a traditional salute in front of the audience before Jackson approached the podium to address his new crew.

Jackson thanked his new team and asked his leaders to be resilient, transparent and self-critical to ensure consistent growth in TF 56.

TF 56 executes operations as the Expeditionary Warfare Commander for explosive ordnance disposal, naval construction, expeditionary logistics, civil affairs, intelligence exploitation, and coastal riverine forces to enable freedom of navigation, the defeat of violent extremists, and strengthening of relationships with coalition partners in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse comprises 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

• Date Taken: 06.10.2019
• Date Posted: 06.10.2019 09:08
• Story ID: 326350
• Location: MANAMA, BH