SASEBO, Japan -- Capt. Jim McGovern relieved Capt. Ed Thompson as commodore of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 at a change of command ceremony aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), June 1.
Thompson praised the tenacity and resiliency of the forward-deployed naval force in his remarks, commending ships and their crews for training, certifying, and achieving the missions asked of them.
"We took one of the most complex military organizations that there is, an ARG-MEU team, introduced a new command and control platform alongside a brand new aircraft, integrated it all together and took it out to sea and operated in a multinational environment alongside our partners," said Thompson of the recent accomplishments of the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group. "We did it safely with professionalism and learned a lot along the way. That's what service in FDNF is all about. It's about the people here today. That's what our Navy is about."
Thompson assumed command in Feb. 24 of this year and led the first-ever deployment of the Up-Gunned Expeditionary Strike Group concept, which integrated two San Diego-based guided-missile destroyers and the F-35B Lightning II.
Thompson has been an instrumental asset in assisting the Japan Self Defense Force develop amphibious capability and will continue those efforts as he resumes duties as Deputy Commander of Amphibious Force 7th Fleet.
McGovern, who has had several command tours on amphibious ships, said he looks forward to the opportunity to take forward the tactical progress in building a more capable and lethal amphibious force.
"We lead teams of fantastic Sailors who willingly accept the sacrifices asked of them by the Republic," said McGovern. "My focus is going to be on operational excellence and enabling the success of you, the Blue-Green Team, and ensuring we're a lethal force."
McGovern command tours include USS Kingfisher (MHC 56), USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and Task Force 56 Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces Central. While in command of Task Force 56, he led a forward-deployed staff that oversaw more than 1,400 Sailors and Soldiers across nine task groups.
PHIBRON 11, based in Sasebo, Japan, is one of nine U.S. Navy amphibious squadrons and is currently responsible for the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), the amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20), and amphibious dock landing ships Germantown and USS Ashland (LSD 48).