NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. – Cmdr. Curtis Thomas II, USS Billings (LCS 15) commanding officer, relieved Cmdr. Jeffrey Gerring, Billings (Blue Crew) commanding officer, and Cmdr. Brett Seeley, Billings (Gold Crew) commanding officer, during a ceremony onboard Billings Mar 23.
The ceremony marked the end of a one-and-a half-year command tour for Gerring, a native of Aberdeen, Maryland, and Seeley, a native of Bradenton, Florida. Under their commands, Billings conducted three deployments to the U.S. 4th Fleet Area of Operations along with three crucial inter-deployment maintenance availabilities.
“It was a rewarding challenge having had the privilege to lead Billings Gold,” said Seeley. “The team accomplished many firsts for the LCS community and executed two successful deployments. The Sailors motivated me with their passion, sacrifices, and service. I could not have asked to be part of a better unit. Hooyah Team Billings!”
“USS Billings has continually set the standard for what a Freedom-variant LCS can do, and the crew has been instrumental in making it a lethal warfighting platform,” said Gerring. “Between Blue and Gold crews, we have kept the ship operating down-range for nearly 18 months. I am incredibly impressed with the tenacity and resiliency these Sailors have shown, and to sail alongside them has been an incredible privilege.”
Capt. Todd Peters, commander, Mine Division 22 and presiding officer during the ceremony, took the time to recognize Seeley and Gerring's hard work and expressed his gratitude for both crews successfully completing multiples maintenance availabilities, three successful deployments and the first LCS Freedom-variant crew turnover while deployed overseas.
"As Billings completes two important chapters in her history, ringing ashore both the Thundercats’ Cmdr. Seeley and Kraken’s Cmdr. Gerring –it is a pleasure to have the Grizzlies set sail under Cmdr. Thomas,” said Peters. “Where Seeley and Gerring built foundations of operational excellence and deployment success, Thomas’ challenge will be to maintain their legacy while building a future of pride, ownership, and procedural compliance which will ensure Billing’s continued success.”
“The citizens of Billings support the outstanding crew of our namesake ship who protect our nation every day,” said city of Billings Mayor, Bill Cole. “The leadership of the crew, including outgoing Cmdr. Gerring and Cmdr. Seeley, are top-notch, as is the ship’s new commanding officer, Cmdr. Thomas. It was an incredible privilege for me to participate in this ceremony that marks a new chapter in the history of the USS Billings.”
For Thomas, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, Billings will be his sixth tour aboard a surface combatant and his second time in command. Thomas most recently served as executive officer of USS Billings Gold from July 2021 to January 2023. After the ceremonial change of command, Thomas addressed the crew and his vision for their future.
"The reputation that you have established on the waterfront is one of excellence," said Thomas. "Your resume is full of accolades and accomplishments, and that is a testament to your hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Today marks the dawn of a new era. Together we will be great and continue the Billings standard of creating a culture of excellence and accomplishing every mission set."
Billings is the 15th LCS in the Navy, and the eighth of the Freedom-variant. It is the first ship to be named after Billings, Montana.
LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric "anti-access" threats and designed to defeat asymmetric "anti-access" threats and is capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence.
| Date Taken: | 03.23.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.24.2023 12:08 |
| Story ID: | 441138 |
| Location: | MAYPORT, FL, US |
| Hometown: | BRADENTON, FL, US |
| Hometown: | JACKSONVILLE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 164 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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