USS Germantown Changes Command

SASEBO, NAGASAKI, JAPAN

08.30.2019

Courtesy Story

USS Germantown (LSD 42)

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) – The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) held a change of command ceremony in Sasebo, Japan, Aug. 30.

Cmdr. Christopher M. Causee relieved Cmdr. Jimmie J. Jensen III after his twenty-month tour as commanding officer.

Jensen became the twenty-forth commanding officer of the Germantown Dec. 27, 2017. His next assignment he will be operating as a part of Expeditionary Strike Group Seven.

Causee reported to the Germantown as executive officer in Jan. 2019. Before checking aboard, he completed operational tours with USS Essex (LHD 2) as radar repair and 1st Division officer and aboard USS Cape St. George (CG 71) as training officer, completing deployments in both the 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. As department head he served as first lieutenant aboard USS Rushmore (LSD 47) where he was selected for early command. He reported as executive officer for USS Gladiator (MCM 11) before assuming command, completing a total of three years of mine warfare operations in the 5th Fleet area of operations.

“Team Germantown has worked extremely hard over the last six months getting the ship back to a sea operating status and training to fight and employ her capabilities,” said Causee. “I am most excited to build on our training as we sail on course towards excellence. This excellence will allow Germantown to embark our primary weapon system and deploy on any beach of our nation’s choosing at any time. This excellence will allow us to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations on short notice. This excellence will enable Germantown to ensure mission first, sailors always and families forever.”

Jensen took command of Germantown during an extensive 27 month dry-dock selected restricted availability. Under his command, the Germantown crew relentlessly pursued success evidenced by his Sailors consistently exceeding Navy advancement averages. After the DSRA, he led the ship to certify for sea and return to full operational capability for service in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

“You know the ship, you know our Sailors,” Jensen told Causee. I’m confident you are ready to take this ship out to sea and achieve even higher levels of excellence.”

• Date Taken: 08.30.2019
• Date Posted: 09.12.2019 22:18
• Story ID: 340435
• Location: SASEBO, NAGASAKI, JP