Military

USS Nashville Holds Underway Change of Command Ceremony

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080407-05
Release Date: 4/7/2008 3:21:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Charles L. Ludwig, USS Nashville Public Affairs

USS NASVHILLE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Nashville (LPD 13) held a change of command ceremony while underway, April 2.

Capt. Tushar R. Tembe relieved Capt. Dewolfe H. Miller as commanding officer of the amphibious transport dock ship.

The ceremony, held in the lower vehicle stowage spaces, marked Tembe becoming the ship's 27th commanding officer. For the new commanding officer, the celebration comes after several months of preparation, both before and during the ship's current deployment.

"I've been on this ship many times over the past few months," said Tembe. "I observed this crew in January. I observed you on liberty in Souda Bay, and I've observed you over the past few days. And I am sincerely impressed with what I have seen."

Tembe also thanked Miller for priming the crew and providing it with quality leadership during his time in command.

"Capt. Miller, in my humble opinion, you've trained and molded the finest crew on the waterfront. You have without a doubt, achieved your vision, and I can safely say that this ship is in good hands with this wardroom, this chief's mess and this crew."

Tembe comes to Nashville after serving as executive officer aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), where he deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and during operations off the coast of the Horn of Africa.

Serving as guest speaker for the event was Capt. Robert G. Lineberry, commander, Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group. In his comments, Lineberry offered Tembe some advice.

"Capt. Tembe, today you take the torch of responsibility for this great warship and this crew of dedicated men and women. The mission is firmly placed into your care," he said. "If you love and trust them, they will love and trust you."

Miller had served as Nashville's commanding officer for the last 16 months. He now leaves the amphibious Navy to take command of Pre-Commissioning George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

In reflecting on his time in command, Miller showed appreciation for the crew. "I look at myself and I ask myself 'How'd we do?' And I can leave today with the satisfaction and pride that I achieved my dream," he said. "You turned that vision into a reality, and for that I think you."

Nashville is a part of the Nassau Strike Group currently operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

For more news from Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/esg8/.