Capt. Peter Mirisola relieved Capt. Adan Cruz as commanding officer of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50/Task Force (TF) 55 during a change of command ceremony on Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Aug. 1.
DESRON 50/TF 55 conducts maritime security operations in support of regional security and stability. Its responsibilities include planning and executing a robust regional engagement program with coalition forces from Gulf Cooperation Council nations and allied surface warfare assets deployed to the Arabian Gulf.
Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet presided over the event and thanked Cruz for his contributions to the NAVCENT mission.
“This ceremony gives us the opportunity to pause and pay tribute to Commodore Cruz, his wife and effective leadership and the tremendous success of the TF 55 team under his command,” said Malloy.
Malloy continued by listing many of the exercises and achievements TF 55 has successfully completed, and the importance they had building partnerships and maritime security in the region. Over 100 choke point transits, multiple strategic port visits and successful joint exercises.
Cruz listed many of the accomplishments of DESRON 50/TF 55 and thanked everyone involved.
“I was grateful to have a supportive staff and ships to help get me through that,” said Cruz. “Since then the pace has never slowed and the staff and task force has continued to perform at an extremely high level.”
Following the turnover of command, Mirisola thanked Cruz for his leadership and looks to continue TF 55’s history of excellence.
Mirisola thanked family and friends and stated how thrilled he was to be accepting command of DESRON 50/ TF 55.
“I want to convey to you what an honor it is to continue on with this extraordinary team and I appreciate the extra hard work you put into making this day special,” said Mirisola.
U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.