Change of Command

On June 24th I attended the Change of Command ceremony on the USS Wisconsin. 

You may be asking yourself, what is a change of command.  I'm so glad you asked!  

A change of command is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding or flag officer to another.

This change of command was for SURFLANT.  I can already hear your question.  What's SURFLANT?

Aren't you all on your toes today.

SURFLANT is an acronym for Surface Forces Atlantic.  It is a post within the United States Fleet Forces Command.  As Naval Surface Forces, Atlantic, it is a military formation, but the organization is often known as COMNAVSURFLANT. Its headquarters are at the Naval Station Norfolk.  

The commander supervises all surface ships based on the the Eastern United States and Gulf Coast of the United States.

Rear Admiral Peter A. Gumataotao was the out going commander and Rear Admiral Christopher W. Grady is the incoming commander.

Now don't you feel educated?

It was a lovely day for the ceremony.  The Gumataotao family will be missed and we look forward to getting to know the Grady family.

I included photos that someone from the Hampton Roads Naval Museum (where I volunteer) took.  As well as a couple of pictures of us.  Thank goodness for cell phone cameras!