NASA and the Department of Defense completed Underway Recovery Test 12 aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) off the coast of San Diego, March 25-31, 2025. In preparation for NASA's Artemis II crewed mission, which will send four astronauts around the Moon and beyond in the Orion spacecraft, NASA and the Department of Defense will conduct a series of tests to demonstrate and evaluate the processes, procedures, and hardware used in recovery operations for crewed lunar missions. The Department of Defense has many unique capabilities that make it an ideal partner to support NASA, including its amphibious ships with the ability to embark helicopters, launch and recover small boats and provide medical care at advanced...
SAN DIEGO – Cmdr. Bobby Barber was relieved by Cmdr. Courtney Towles as commanding
officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Canberra (LCS 30), Gold crew, during a
change of command ceremony held aboard the USS Midway Museum, May 30. Capt. Jose A. Roman,
commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One, was the presiding officer and guest speaker at
the ceremony.
SAN DIEGO – Cmdr. Ludwig Mann III was relieved by Cmdr. John Kavanagh as commanding
officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Kingsville (LCS 36) during a
change of command ceremony held aboard USS Kingsville, May. 22. Capt. Jose A. Roman,
commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One, was the presiding officer and guest speaker at
the ceremony.
