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Cash Relieves Kastner During San Antonio Change of Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081222-07
Release Date: 12/22/2008 5:55:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Erik Hoffmann, USS San Antonio Public Affairs

USS SAN ANTONIO, At Sea (NNS) -- USS San Antonio (LPD 17) changed command during a ceremony held at sea Dec. 17.

Cmdr. Eric Cash relieved Cmdr. Kurt Kastner as commanding officer of the amphibious transport dock ship.

Cash is the fourth commanding officer of San Antonio, which is the first ship of the new San Antonio-class amphibious warship.

"Any ship in the Navy is about the crew," said Cash.
"This crew has done a fantastic job on this, San Antonio's first deployment. They've overcome all challenges that have come their way. It's the people on the deck plates that continue to make this ship great, and I'm honored to be their commanding officer."

Kastner, the first commanding officer to deploy San Antonio, had some departing words for his shipmates.

"I would like to say 'thank you' to the crew of San Antonio," said a teary-eyed Kastner. "They have made this the most rewarding 17 months of my career. My parting words are these: support Cmdr. Cash, keep focused and finish this deployment strong."

Cash's previous sea duty assignments include USS Tarawa (LHA 1), USS John A. Moore (FFG 19), USS Vincennes (CG 49), USS Lake Erie (CG 70) and USS Heron (MHC 52).

Kastner's next assignment is to Afloat Training Group, Atlantic, where he will assume the position of commanding officer, Engineering Assessment, Atlantic.

San Antonio is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO helps develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

For more news from Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/iwoesg/.