USS Charleston Gold Crew Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Vance Hand | (Nov 10, 2021) NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO - Cmdr. John Actkinson, right, salutes Capt. Spencer Austin, commodore, Mine Division TWELVE (MINEDIV12), to assume command as commanding officer of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) Gold Crew during a change of command ceremony at Naval Base San Diego chapel. LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS is capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Vance Hand/Released)  

UNITED STATES

11.10.2021

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Vance Hand 

Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO – Cmdr. John Actkinson relieved Cmdr. Joseph Burgon as commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) Gold Crew during a change of command ceremony at the Naval Base San Diego chapel, Nov. 10, 2021.

A native of Cottonwood, California, Burgon led Charleston Gold Crew through their maiden deployment, his next assignment is assistant program manager in the Navy Command and Control Program Office (PMW-150).

“It’s truly remarkable how much this crew has accomplished, going from assuming command of Gold crew to forward deployed in six months,” said Burgon. “It says a lot about the talent and character of our Sailors, and it’s been an honor to be a part of this team.”

Actkinson, a San Antonio native, previously served as Charleston Gold Crew’s executive officer before assuming command as Charleston Gold Crew’s commanding officer.

“I am extremely excited and honored to be with this crew,” said Actkinson. “I am looking forward to all our future operations together.”

Charleston is currently forward deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 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: 11.10.2021
• Date Posted: 11.10.2021 16:54
• Story ID: 409179
• Location: US