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USS Bataan Holds Change of Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070327-07
Release Date: 3/27/2007 8:27:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Joanne De Vera, USS Bataan Public Affairs

JEBEL ALI, United Arab Emirates (NNS) -- Capt. Rick Snyder relieved Capt. David Hulse as commanding officer, USS Bataan (LHD 5) during a change of command ceremony March 22, while the ship was in port in the United Arab Emirates.

Hulse passed the title of “captain” to Snyder in a traditional exchange on the ship’s flight deck. Snyder became Bataan’s eighth commanding officer since the ship was commissioned Sept. 20, 1997.

Snyder graduated from Tulane University in 1983 and received his commission through the Navy Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC). He was designated a naval aviator and received his wings of gold in November 1984.

His tours of duty include assignments with Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light (HSL) 43, Republic of Korea/U.S. Combined Forces Command, HSL-40, HSL-46, Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Atlantic Council of the United States. He also served as the executive and commanding officer of HSL-46, navigator of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and commanding officer of HSL-40. His last tour of duty was as the executive officer of Bataan.

Hulse departed Bataan after 18 months of service as commanding officer. He led the crew through a successful ammunitions on-load, participation in Joint Caribbean Lion 2006, and the integration of Bataan’s crew -- Amphibious Squadron 2 and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) -- into a combat ready team.

As Bataan’s commanding officer, he commanded the flagship of the Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) since the ship departed Norfolk on Jan. 4 on a regularly scheduled deployment.

Hulse’s next assignment will be with the President Board of Inspection and Survey in Norfolk.

The Bataan ESG is comprised of the Bataan Strike Group, commanded by Capt. Donna Looney, commander Bataan Strike Group/Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 2, and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., commanded by Col. Gregg Sturdevant.

Bataan Strike Group includes PHIBRON 2, Bataan, USS Shreveport (LPD 12), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Underwood (FFG 36), and USS Scranton (SSN 756).