CSG-11 Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Elliot Schaudt | 210430-N-NH257-1005 EVERETT, Wash. (April 30, 2021) Rear Adm. Christopher Sweeney, commander, Carrier Strike Group 11, departs a change of command at Naval Station Everett, April 30. Carrier Strike Group 11, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, recently returned from a more than 10 month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleets.  

EVERETT, WA, UNITED STATES

04.30.2021

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sarah Christoph 

USS Nimitz (CVN 68)   

NAVAL STATION EVERETT, Wash. – Rear Adm. Christopher J. Sweeney relieved Rear Adm. James A. Kirk as Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, during a ceremony held at Naval Station Everett, April 30.

Kirk, from Hershey, Pennsylvania, assumed command of CSG-11 in May 2020. He is a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and has attended both the U.S. Naval War College and U.S. Army War College graduating with a master’s degree in National Security Studies. He has served in a variety of afloat and ashore billets as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO).

While under Kirk’s command, CSG-11 operated in U.S. 5th Fleet in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, part of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission. In September 2020, the strike group began operations in the Arabian Gulf, conducting the first aircraft carrier Strait of Hormuz transit in nearly a year. CSG-11 also supported Operation Inherent Resolve, providing close air support and defensive counter-air missions to the coalition fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, and to Joint Task Force – Quartz and Operation Octave Quartz during a repositioning of U.S. forces within East Africa, transiting to the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia in December 2020.

Kirk addressed the crew of the strike group’s accomplishments while under his command during the change of command ceremony.

"I depart the pattern both humbled by your sacrifice and proud of your accomplishments,” said Kirk. “They were many. You defended our readiness during the COVID-19 global pandemic. On short notice, you embarked our ships and executed a COMPTUEX and GO to restore naval presence and power. You stood the watch during a time of tension and transition ensuring that our nation's interests and lives of its citizens were defended. Taken together, the duration and circumstances of your service on deployment were unprecedented. Know that both I and Navy leadership are grateful for what you did and know that you will continue that exemplary service under Rear Adm. Sweeney's leadership as you write the next chapter in the grand history of our Navy, the Nimitz Strike Group, and Carrier Strike Group 11."

Sweeney, from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, is a 1991 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated from the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University with a master’s degree in International Policy and Practice. He has served in a variety of afloat and ashore billets as a SWO.

"My hat is off to Admiral Kirk, the CSG-11 Staff, the warfare commanders and the squadron and ship commanding officers for developing and leading all the officers, chief petty officers and Sailors of the Nimitz Strike Group over the past year," said Sweeney. "I know from reading all the press, the country appreciates your service and all that you accomplished during this last deployment - from operations that really began off the coast of Southern California to mitigate COVID risks, to the Western Pacific, the South China Sea and the Arabian Gulf and back you shined as a beacon of American commitment to allies and partners, defenders of democratic values and the rule of law, succinctly said, exporters of peace around the globe."

• Date Taken: 04.30.2021
• Date Posted: 04.30.2021 15:51
• Story ID: 395293
• Location: EVERETT, WA, US