• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Adler Relieved by Carroll as Port Royal Commanding Officer

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081027-07
Release Date: 10/27/2008 10:38:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- USS Port Royal (CG 73) hosted a change of command ceremony Oct. 23 held at the USS Nevada Memorial on board Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

Capt. David Adler was relieved by Capt. John Carroll as commanding officer of the Pearl Harbor-based Ticonderoga-class cruiser.

"I will always be attached to Port Royal," said Adler. "As I depart, I wish you all fair winds and following seas as it has been an honor to serve as your commanding officer."

Adler assumed command of Port Royal Aug. 5, 2006. Under his command, Port Royal accomplished a major maintenance period, unit-level and strike group training and certifications, completed a Board of Inspection and Survey and a 6-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf and participated in Rim of the Pacific 2008.

Showing great emotion as he spoke to his Sailors and distinguished guests, Adler thanked the crew for the efforts throughout his tour.

"When I first checked on board, I asked you to never let me down and never stand me wrong, and you never have," said Adler. "I want to thank you for all the dedication and hard work you've provided me over the years."

Rear Adm. Charles Martoglio, director of operations for U.S. Pacific Command who served with Adler on USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) in 1997, praised Adler's work ethic as Port Royal's commanding officer.

"You have established and led Port Royal to be the ship that routinely does the exceptional," said Martoglio. "I congratulate you on a tremendously successful command tour. You have contributed so immeasurably to our nation at a time when it has really counted."

Rear Adm. T.G. Alexander, commander, Navy Region Hawaii and commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific (MIDPAC), was also on hand to show gratitude to Adler for his support to the region.

"The time I've been here has been a wonderful experience, and a big part of that goes to Captain Adler," said Alexander. "His leadership on the waterfront and counseled advice support for me has been absolutely critical to the success that MIDPAC has received over the last two years."

After officially taking command from Adler, Carroll delivered his first remarks as Port Royal's commanding officer and said he is looking forward to the opportunity presented to him.

"For me, this is the achievement of my Navy goals - command at sea," said Carroll. "I could think of no other ship I would rather command, and I feel blessed that the Navy saw fit to give me this opportunity."

During the ceremony, Alexander presented Adler with the Legion of Merit. Adler received the award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service.

USS Port Royal was commissioned in 1994, is 567 feet in length, 55 feet wide and can reach speeds of more than 30 knots. The ship is a multimission, surface combatant capable of supporting carrier strike groups, amphibious forces or of operating independently and as a flagship of surface action groups.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrh/.