USS ESSEX HOLDS CHANGE OF COMMAND

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

09.26.2019

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler Diffie 

USS Essex (LHD 2)

The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) held a change of command ceremony on the flight deck Sept. 26.
Capt. Aaron Kelley relieved Capt. Brian Mutty as commanding officer during the ceremony attended by the crew, family members and distinguished visitors.

Guest speaker Rear Adm. Cedric Pringle, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, spoke of the achievements of the Essex and her crew under Mutty’s leadership.

“Brian, I had absolutely no doubt that you would do exactly what you’ve done with this ship, which was continue to take it to the next level,” said Pringle.

Mutty assumed command of Essex in July 2018. During his tenure as commanding officer, the Iron Gator successfully completed an eight-month deployment in support of Operations Freedom Sentinel and Inherent Resolve, to include the first ever combat deployment of the F-35B Lightning II fighter. The historic deployment demonstrated the successful integration of amphibious operations and the F-35B Lightning II. The Essex and the embarked Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA-211) executed 3,965 combat sorties and delivered more than 150,000 pounds of ordnance.

Mutty thanked the crew and recognized his success as commanding officer to their hard work.

“To the wardroom, Chiefs mess and crew, I’ll tell it to you straight, you crushed it,” said Mutty. “The entire time I was your commanding officer, you did a phenominal job. Thank you again to all of the Sailors aboard the Iron Gator. I wish the best of luck to you and your families. Fair winds and following seas.”

Mutty is a native of Portsmouth, Va., and a 1992 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1992 and commissioned in 1995 following Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla.

Mutty will be going to Chief of Naval Personnel Support in Washington D.C.

Kelley, a native of Orange Park, Fla., and a 1996 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, was designated as a Naval Aviator in November 1998. He assumed duties as Essex’s executive officer in October 2018.

“Essex is poised to begin anew as we bring her back to life and continue a legacy of excellence, pride and professionalism,” said Kelley. “I’m excited to lead and serve through this transition. Take notice, Essex will be ready.”

Essex is undergoing a planned maintenance availability in Naval Base San Diego.

• Date Taken: 09.26.2019
• Date Posted: 09.26.2019 18:00
• Story ID: 343993
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US