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USS Rodney M. Davis Conducts Change of Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070612-09
Release Date: 6/12/2007 2:42:00 PM

By Ensign Merrie Ekelund, USS Rodney M. Davis Public Affairs

USS RODNEY M. DAVIS, At Sea (NNS) -- Cmdr. James L. Minta relieved Cmdr. Marc Gordnier as commanding officer (CO) of USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG-60) during a change of command ceremony May 26 held aboard the guided missile frigate while underway in the Pacific Ocean.

The event was attended by the ship’s crew and the speakers included Executive Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Doug Factor and Command Master Chief Clifford Smith.

In his remarks to the assembled crew, Factor spoke of Gordnier’s numerous accomplishments.

“Cmdr. Gordnier’s tour as commanding officer of USS Rodney M. Davis will be characterized as a period of extraordinary vision and leadership. In his 19 months, Cmdr. Gordnier has efficiently guided us through remarkable changes. He also provided the strong leadership necessary to execute the day-to-day operations in the Puget Sound, Southern California Operating Area, Atlantic and Caribbean and, most recently, the Eastern Pacific during our groundbreaking counter narco-terrorism deployment.”

The ceremony marked the culmination of Gordnier’s first at-sea command, one in which he led Davis in a highly successful training workup followed by an equally successful counter-narcotics terrorism deployment.

Gordnier thanked the crew.

“I want to thank each and every one of you for your steadfast support and your mission accomplishment throughout my tour. Thanks to all of you. From the deck seamen, the Davis Race Team pit crew, the trigger pullers, the scope watchers and plotters, the box kickers, the chef squad, the flight crew of the Ninja Monkey pilots, the Coast Guard team, the NAV (Navigation) team, the maintainers, the mid-watch, to our chiefs and our officers. It’s been my personal pleasure and sincere honor to sail with every one of you,” he said.

Gordnier will report to the staff of Commander Naval Surface Forces U.S. Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk.

In his remarks, Minta said he was looking forward to taking over as CO.

“I want to take a couple minutes just to say thank you to the officers, chief’s mess and the crew of the USS Rodney M. Davis for your warm welcome and an exceptional turn out. I want to thank Cmdr. Gordnier for his support and openness over the past year, since I’ve had orders to the USS Rodney M. Davis. You have been truly exceptional and I really appreciate it, Sir. Thank you,” he said.

Rodney M. Davis is Minta’s first at-sea command. His previous sea tour was as executive officer of USS Camden (AOE-2).

Rodney M. Davis is deployed under the operational control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command as part of a Joint/Inter-Agency Task force conducting counter-narcotics trafficking operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.