PCU Savannah Holds Assumption of Command Ceremony

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Rosalie Chang | 210816-N-DH124-0020 NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO (Aug. 16, 2021) – Cmdr. Kevin Ray gives his remarks as the first commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship PCU Savannah (LCS 28), during a pier-side assumption of command ceremony on board Naval Base San Diego. The Littoral Combat Ship is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS are capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Rosalie Chang/Released)  

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

08.16.2021

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Vance Hand 

Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO (Aug. 16, 2021) – Cmdr. Kevin Ray assumed command of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship PCU Savannah (LCS 28) Blue Crew during an assumption of command ceremony, Aug. 16 on board Naval Base San Diego.

Ray is the first commanding officer of Savannah, which is scheduled to be commissioned early next year. He was previously assigned as the executive officer aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD 22) before taking command of Savannah.

“The crew and I have a unique opportunity and responsibility to breathe life into a U.S. Navy warship. I have no doubt our crew is ready to meet this challenge head on and establish the right culture on board from day one,” said Ray. “This is what I expect from them and this is what we strive for; the work we put in now will have a lasting impact on Savannah for years to come.”

Ray completes the command triad with Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Sledz as the executive officer and Command Senior Chief Ronmel Aleman as the Senior Enlisted Leader. Sledz stated the triad and crew are ready to take on any mission sent their way and complete it successfully as one team.

“Ever since our first group of Sailors reported over two years ago, and those who have arrived in the past few months, it has been a true team effort to complete training and come together to form up this crew,” said Sledz. “We are excited for Commander Ray to assume command for his leadership and because it is another major milestone achieved as we progress towards bringing the future USS Savannah to life together.”

Ray, a native of Garland, Texas, graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Development and earned a commission through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) in 2004. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Human Systems Integration from Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Arts degree in Christian Leadership Studies from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

Savannah is currently in Mobile, Alabama and was delivered to the Navy, Jun 26, 2021.

The Littoral Combat Ship is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. The LCS is capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence.

For more news from Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/comlcsron1/ or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/COMLCSRONONE/

• Date Taken: 08.16.2021
• Date Posted: 08.19.2021 12:43
• Story ID: 403452
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US