Photo By Ensign SkySky Avants | San Diego (Dec. 18, 2020) – The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS...... read more read more
USS Spruance Holds Change of Command
San Diego (Dec. 18, 2020) – The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) held a change of command ceremony on the ship’s forecastle at Naval Base San Diego, Dec. 18.
Cmdr. Micah Sybor relieved Cmdr. James Sordi during a socially distanced ceremony in front of a small contingent of family and crewmembers, which was live streamed for those unable to attend. The ceremony was presided over by Capt. T. J. Zerr, commander, Destroyer Squadron 21 (DESRON 21).
Sordi, a Brooklyn native and graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College, served as commanding officer since August 2019. During his command, the crew executed several missions in the Third Fleet area of operations including Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in support of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Carrier Strike Group. Additionally, he oversaw a nine-month dry-dock restricted availability in San Diego’s BAE shipyard. He preceded his command tour as Spruance’s executive officer, where he led the crew through an eight-month deployment with USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group. The ship’s performance was recognized with the Battle Effectiveness (Battle E) award.
Sordi’s next duty assignment is Director of the Commander’s Action Group at Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), where he will oversee surface force tactics development.
“It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve as both your executive officer and later as your commanding officer,” said Sordi. “This is a team any captain would be proud to lead.” During his speech, he also alluded to Adm. Scott Swift’s turnover speech as he assumed command of U.S. Pacific Fleet, stating, “Great teams are determined by the manner in which they face challenges.”
Sybor is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and 2002 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Prior to assuming command, he served as Spruance’s executive officer from June 2019 to October 2020.
“Spruance, it is my honor to assume duties as your commanding officer. I will work hard for you, I will always try to do the right thing, and I will do everything I can to take care of this crew,” Sybor said. “Together we will continue the tradition of battle readiness and victory at sea.”
At sea, Sybor’s past assignments include strike officer, auxiliaries officer, and navigator aboard USS Stout (DDG 55). He also participated in the DDG Crew Sierra for the Atlantic Fleet Sea Swap program with USS Gonzales (DDG 66) and USS Laboon (DDG 58), in which the destroyers were left out to sea while the crews swapped in and out. Additionally, Sybor served as engineer officer aboard USS Milius (DDG 69), executive officer of Mine Countermeasures (MCM) crew Bulwark, and commanding officer of MCM Crew Fearless, where he completed the last MCM rotational deployment to 5th Fleet while in command of USS Dextrous (MCM 12).
Ashore, he taught the Senior Material Officer Readiness Course and served as the Command Qualification Assessment coordinator at Surface Warfare Officer’s School in Newport, Rhode Island.
Spruance is homeported in San Diego and is the 61st Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer.
For more information on USS Spruance, please visit: https://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg111/Pages/default.aspx
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| Date Taken: | 12.18.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 12.23.2020 16:05 |
| Story ID: | 385663 |
| Location: | SANDIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 447 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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