USS Barry Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Photo By Lt.j.g. Emilio Mackie | YOKOSUKA, JAPAN (Dec. 8, 2021) Cmdr. Grant Bryan, Commanding Officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52), shakes the hand of Cmdr, Christopher Gahl, at the conclusion of the Change of Command ceremony onboard. Barry is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Emilio Mackie)  

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JAPAN

12.07.2021

Story by Ensign Emilio Mackie 

USS Barry (DDG 52)

YOKOSUKA, Japan – Cmdr. Grant Bryan relieved Cmdr. Christopher Gahl as Commanding Officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) during a change of command ceremony at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka on Dec. 8.

Cmdr. Gahl assumed command of Barry in May 2020, after serving as the ship’s Executive Officer. His next assignment will be at Integrated Warfare Systems in Washington D.C.
“I could not be prouder to have served as your Commanding Officer,” said Cmdr. Gahl during a speech to the crew. “Through my time onboard this crew has faced every challenge head on with unwavering determination and prowess. Your hard work, camaraderie, and will to win is what makes this ship the finest warship I have ever sailed on, and I am honored to have been your captain.

During Cmdr. Gahl’s tour, Barry conducted a multitude of underway operations in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and Philippine Sea, operating with international allies supporting theater anti-submarine warfare and ballistic missile defense.
Barry participated in a numerous exercises throughout the 7th Fleet area of operations to include the international training exercise MALABAR 21 between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Australian Defence Force, and Indian Navies, operations with the Republic of Korea Navy, the Bi-lateral Advanced Warfighting Training (BAWT) exercise between the U.S. Navy and JMSDF, as well as Operation KEEN SWORD. Barry also operated with the Ronald Reagan Strike Group and the Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.
For its performance in these exercises and operations, Barry received numerous coveted awards to include the Battle Efficiency Award, Spokane Trophy, Bloodhound ASW Award, and Unit tactics Award. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Barry was awarded the “Battle-C” for maintaining a ship-wide vaccination rate of over 90%.
Barry’s new commanding officer, Cmdr. Grant Bryan, is a native of Anchorage, Alaska. He most recently served as executive officer onboard USS San Jacinto (CG 56).

Barry is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet employs 50 to 70 ships and submarines across the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 12.07.2021
• Date Posted: 12.07.2021 22:31
• Story ID: 410684
• Location: YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP