YOKOSUKA, Japan – Capt. Nicholas DeLeo relieved Capt. Timothy Waits during a change of command ceremony at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, March 13.
Prior to assuming command of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), DeLeo served as executive officer of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) and commanding officer of Blue Ridge-class amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).
Waits assumed command of George Washington in February, 2024, in Norfolk, Virginia before executing the ship’s return to Yokosuka, Japan.
“It has been my great honor to lead this ship and her crew from the shipyards back into forward-deployed operations,” Waits said. “I’m very proud of everything this crew has accomplished, and I know they will continue to serve our Navy proudly with Capt. DeLeo leading the charge.”
Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 5, and guest speaker for the ceremony, thanked Waits for his service and commitment to exceeding expectations as commanding officer and highlighted the tremendous responsibility of an aircraft carrier commander.“It’s great to be back on the carrier taking on this forward-deployed mission,” DeLeo said. “I look forward to serving this team and working together to build on their legacy of success.”
George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet.