Destroyer Squadron 26 Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Novalee Manzella | 230616-N-YD731-1051 NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (June 16, 2023) Rear Adm. Robert Westendorff, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, awards Capt. Stephen Aldridge, commander, Destroyer Squadron 26, the Legion of Merit during a change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), June 16, 2023. During the ceremony, Capt. Peter Halvorsen relieved Aldridge as commander, DESRON-26. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Novalee Manzella)  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

06.16.2023

Courtesy Story

Carrier Strike Group 10

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK – Capt. Peter Halvorsen relieved Capt. Stephen Aldridge as commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 during a ceremony aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), June 16, 2023.

Civilian and military guests gathered for this time-honored tradition to bid farewell to Aldridge and welcome Halvorsen as the new commander.

Aldridge, a 1998 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, assumed command of DESRON-26 in July 2022. Aldridge led his team through a pre-deployment workup phase as deputy commodore before deploying with George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group as their commodore, where he performed duties as the sea combat commander operating in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility. The sea combat commander is responsible for the coordination of all surface warfare operations within a carrier strike group.

“It has been a great privilege serving with this incredible team the past two years,” said Aldridge. “Thank you to the staff and crews for your hard work and dedication to ensuring our readiness for combat operations.”
Halvorsen, also a 1998 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, takes the helm of DESRON-26 as they prepare to conduct upcoming exercises and operations and continue to man, train, and equip the squadron’s warships as they move through the optimized fleet response plan.

“Serving as deputy has been a privilege and I am grateful to continue to lead and work with the phenomenal DESRON-26 staff and the great officers and crew on our ships,” said Halvorsen.

DESRON-26 deployed with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119). The ships currently assigned to DESRON-26 are Nitze, James E. Williams, and Truxtun.

• Date Taken: 06.16.2023
• Date Posted: 06.16.2023 12:20
• Story ID: 447402
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US