CSG-10 Bids Farewell to Rear Adm. Meier, Welcomes Rear Adm. Schlise during Change of Command

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Kaleb Sarten | 190621-N-QD512-0086 NORFOLK, Va. (June 21, 2019) Rear Adm. John F. Meier, Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, speaks during a change of command ceremony aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), the flagship of CSG 10. Rear Adm. Meier, Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, relinquished command of CSG 10 to Rear Adm. Paul J. Schlise aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The strike group is comprised of Ike, the staff and ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the staff and squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, and the cruisers USS Monterey (CG 61), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), and USS Vella Gulf (CG 72). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kaleb Sarten)  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

06.21.2019

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Anthony Curtis 

Carrier Strike Group 10

Rear Adm. Paul Schlise relieved Rear Adm. John Meier as commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 during a ceremony aboard the CSG’s flagship, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) on June 21.

Adm. Christopher Grady, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces, served as the ceremony's guest speaker and presiding officer, presenting Meier with the Legion of Merit.

Under Meier, CSG-10 assisted with the training of units worldwide through a variety of exercise events. His forces provided realistic and meaningful training for units deploying overseas. Of note, CSG-10 embarked USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) on short notice to execute the sortie of 23 U.S. Navy and four partner nation ships ahead of Hurricane Florence, preparing these ships as well as the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Amphibious Ready Group for possible Defense Support of Civilian Authorities operations.
Additionally, the strike group led the planning and execution for Fleet Week New York 2018, comprised of 12 warships and 2,700 Sailors and Marines, hosting shipboard tours for more than 56,000 guests. CSG-10 also supported the inaugural Western Atlantic deployment of the United Kingdom’s aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and its strike group.
Grady noted the many challenges facing the Navy and said in order to counter them all, the watchword for naval forces has to be readiness.
“The carrier strike group represents the very essence of American global power with its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, its Ticonderoga-class cruisers, its destroyer squadron, and carrier air wing – all together some 7,500 personnel,” he said. “We have proven time and again how our strike groups are capable of responding to crisis anytime anywhere.”
Looking toward Meier, Grady noted, “I truly appreciate your personal leadership in driving the integration of your forces, and the positive example set by you and your warfare commanders coming together as the brain trust for tackling your biggest challenges impresses me to no end.”
Meier thanked his staff for their professionalism and the warfare commanders under him for their expertise and counsel during his tour. He touted their ability to demonstrate self-sufficiency, a “fight tonight” mentality, and exercise what he calls “mission command.”
“The challenge of mission command is not an effort from me to you, it is efforts from you to as deep into your command as possible,” he said. “You empower your people to do the job.”
Meier said these skills will become more crucial in the coming years, as the threats facing the country evolve.
“I offer to you today the war of the future will be more lethal than it has been,” he said. “To that end, the men and women of Carrier Strike Group 10 and our entire Navy prepare for war every day. So as our Navy prepares for war, I ask that all of us pray for peace.”

Meier, a native of Export, Pennsylvania, will next report as commander of Naval Warfare Development Command in Norfolk, Va.
Schlise comes to CSG-10 following a tour as the deputy commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain. The Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, native graduated from Marquette University in 1989. He previously commanded USS Halsey (DDG 97), as well as Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. In his remarks, Schlise said he was eager to continue preparing the strike group for its eventual deployment.
“I am incredibly honored, humbled, and excited to have the opportunity to command at sea once again,” Schlise said. “And to do so with this group of professionals from Strike Group 10 is a blessing and privilege beyond compare.”
CSG-10 consists of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, the guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) and USS Monterey (CG 61), and DESRON 26 with its associated guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS McFaul (DDG 74).

CVW-3 consists of the “Fighting Swordsmen” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, the “Gunslingers” of VFA-105, the “Wildcats” of VFA-131, the “Rampagers” of VFA-83, the “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7, the “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, the “Screwtops” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, and the “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130.

• Date Taken: 06.21.2019
• Date Posted: 06.21.2019 14:55
• Story ID: 328707
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US
• Hometown: EXPORT, PA, US
• Hometown: STURGEON BAY, WI, US