Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 31 held a change of command ceremony aboard the guided missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) June 29.
Capt. Joseph Ring relieved Capt. David Bretz as commander, DESRON 31 during the ceremony.
“You are a special breed,” said Bretz in reference to the DESRON 31 team. “It has been an honor sailing and serving with you. Thank you and Godspeed as you continue the adventure here in Hawaii and in the Indo-Pacific region.”
After Bretz’s remarks, both officers read their orders and saluted each other, signifying the ceremonial transition of command from one leader to the next.
“Operate your ships hard because our greyhounds can handle it,” said Ringer upon assuming command. “Your mission demands it. Let your officers drive the ship. See to it that your chiefs and Sailors are world champions in everything they do.”
Rear Adm. Brian Fort, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, served as guest speaker. He spoke in detail on the accomplishments of both officers and how DESRON 31 team was set for success with strong leadership at the helm.
Bretz will be reporting as Commander, Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, Purdue University in Indiana.
Under Bretz’s leadership, DESRON 31 planned, coordinated and executed several major exercises to include Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, Pacific Partnership and two Pacific Surface Action Group deployments in the Western Pacific.
Ring had previously served as DESRON 31 Deputy Commodore. Prior to this, he served as the Director, Joint Operations Center (J31), United States Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany.
DESRON 31 is part of Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and comprises six Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers, USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), USS Hopper (DDG 70), USS Momsen (DDG 92), USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), USS John Finn (DDG 113) and USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115).
For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrh/.