SAN DIEGO – U.S. Navy Cmdr. Thomas Hoffman was relieved by U.S. Navy Cmdr. Benjamin Mills as commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Kansas City (LCS 22) during a change of command ceremony held at BAE Systems Maritime Solutions San Diego, Aug, 10. U.S. Navy Capt. James H. Hoey, commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One, was the presiding officer and guest speaker at the ceremony. During Hoffman's time in command, Kansas City conducted extensive maintenance prior to entering the Docking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) ensuring the ships long-term material readiness. Hoffman will be reporting as the commanding officer for Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26) later this month. “Your Sailors have a stellar reputation across the waterfront for being outstanding technicians, trainers, and watchstanders,” said Hoey. “These success stories are, in part, due to your leadership.” Hoffman, a native of Allentown, Penn., attended the United States Naval War College where he earned a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies and a Master of Science in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy from the Joint Advanced Warfighting School, National Defense University. During his speech, Hoffman addressed each department and thanked them for their list of accomplishments. “Keep treating everyone with dignity and respect, keep doing the right thing, keep building the team, and keep focusing on getting the Kansas City combat ready,” said Hoffman. Kansas City is homeported in San Diego and assigned to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One. Littoral combat ships are fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century threats. LCS integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe. For more news from Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/comlcsron1/ or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/COMLCSRONONE/ on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/littoralcombatshipsquadron1/.