Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3 held a change of command ceremony at the Olympic Lodge in Bremerton, June 11.
Sailors, distinguished visitors, and guests gathered in the reception hall at the Olympic Lodge to bid farewell to Rear Adm. Michael A. Wettlaufer and welcome Rear Adm. Fred I. Pyle as the new commander of CSG-3.
Rear Adm. (ret.) James Kelly, presided over the ceremony, discussed the strike group’s successful 2018-2019 around-the-world deployment, and presented Wettlaufer with the Legion of Merit.
Following an award presentation, Wettlaufer and Pyle thanked their families and officially changed command by reading their orders.
During Wettlaufer's time in command, CSG-3 completed a seven-month around-the-world deployment through the 3rd, 7th, 5th, 6th, and 2nd Fleets, conducted multi-aircraft carrier operations with the Carl Vinson, Ronald Reagan, and Abraham Lincoln Strike Groups, the French aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R 91), the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, and various ally navy units to include Australia, Great Britain, France, Korea and Japan.
Wettlaufer previously served as executive officer of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and commanded Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, USS Denver (LPD 9), and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). His previous flag assignment was as Deputy Director of Plans, Policy and Strategy (J5/8) at the U.S. European Command.
Wettlaufer’s next assignment will be commander of Maritime Sealift Command, Norfolk.
Pyle is reporting from U.S. European Command where he served as the Deputy Director of Plans, Policy and Strategy (J5/8). He previously served as executive officer of the USS Porter (DDG 78) and commanded the USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), as well as serving as Commodore for Destroyer Squadron 2.
The John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG) consists of USS John C. Stennis with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 and Destroyer Squadron 21 embarked, guided-missile destroyers USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and USS Spruance (DDG 111), and guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).
CVW-9 consists of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, and Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 14, 41, 97 and 151.
CSG3 is comprised of the units making up JCSSG and also includes guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Gridley (DDG 101) as independent deployers.
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