Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Tyra Watson | Capt. Matthew Gleason, oncoming commanding officer of San Antonio-class amphibious...... read more read more
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Capt. Thomas J. Uhl was relieved by Capt. Matt D. Gleason as commanding officer of the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) during a change of command ceremony held at sea, Sept. 1.
During his time in command, Uhl led San Antonio and its crew through Composite Training Unit Exercise as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit-Special Operations Capable (MEU SOC), ahead of an eight-and-a-half- month mission in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. The three ships were among the first expeditionary naval assets called to support Operation Southern Spear. While in theater, San Antonio’s Sailors and Marines supported the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland.
Uhl oversaw a scheduled maintenance period and return to sea with Littoral Combat Force-24 for further tasking. During both underway periods San Antonio demonstrated the platform’s interoperability, executing disaster response efforts in Jamaica and Venezuela. The ship’s arrival in La Guairá marked the first U.S. Navy port call to Venezuela in decades.
“I could not be prouder of this team and what they have accomplished, or more grateful for the tremendous opportunity to command USS San Antonio. From delivering humanitarian aid to the citizens of Jamaica after the devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa, to playing a pivotal role in joint force operations in Venezuela, Haiti and across the Caribbean Sea, to returning to Venezuela to deliver humanitarian aid to the Venezuelan people following two back-to-back earthquakes that caused so much human suffering and destruction, to countering narcoterrorism in the Eastern Pacific Ocean to defend the homeland, Americans have every right to take pride in the service of the men and women who call this ship home,” Uhl said. “San Antonio, her crew, and embarked Marines have been deployed for 11 of the last 13 months, and they’re going strong. To the San Antonio families: you are our rock, our motivation when the days are hard, and our greatest source of excitement for when we return to your arms once again. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your love, your sacrifice, and your enduring support of your Sailors and Marines.”
Uhl, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, raised in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2002 and was designated a naval aviator in 2004. His operational assignments have included deployments aboard USS Ingraham (FFG 61), USS Princeton (CG 59), USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). He previously commanded Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Seven (HSM-77) forward deployed to Japan. He also served as executive officer aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) before assuming command of San Antonio in June 2025.
Presiding officer Rear Adm. Craig C. “Bo” Sicola, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Two, recognized Uhl’s leadership and the accomplishments of San Antonio’s crew under his command.
“Time and time again, USS San Antonio demonstrated how the amphibious force capabilities are among the most unique and versatile in the Navy,” said Sicola. “This crew, with Capt. Uhl at the helm, sets the standard and embodies the ship’s motto: ‘Never retreat, never surrender!”
Following the traditional reading of orders, Gleason assumed command of San Antonio. A native of Greenfield, Iowa, Gleason commissioned in 2002 through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Iowa State University. His sea assignments include USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and USS Gladiator (MCM 11). He previously commanded USS Scout (MCM 8), USS Dextrous (MCM 13) and USS Comstock (LSD 45). Most recently, Gleason served as chief of operations at North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command.
“The accomplishments of USS San Antonio under Captain Uhl’s leadership are remarkable,” said Gleason. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this Navy and Marine Corps team forward as a versatile component for implementation of US Foreign Policy.”
The change of command ceremony is a time-honored naval tradition that formally transfers the authority, responsibility and accountability of command from one commanding officer to another. USS San Antonio is the lead ship of the San Antonio class of amphibious transport dock ships.
The ship is designed to embark, transport and land elements of a Marine landing force for expeditionary warfare missions while supporting those Marines, aircraft, landing craft, and other amphibious operations.
U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, Department of War-directed operations and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors, and protect the homeland.
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.01.2026 17:08 |
| Story ID: | 573718 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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