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Amphibious Squadron 8 Holds Change of Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090608-06
Release Date: 6/8/2009 1:06:00 PM

From Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Commander, Amphibious Squadron (CPR) 8 held a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk May 29.

Capt. John G. Bruening relieved Capt. Fernandez L. Pond as commanding officer of CPR 8.

Rear Adm. Terence E. McKnight, special assistant to the director Military Personnel Plans and Policy Division, N13 OPNAV, was the guest speaker.

Under Pond's command, two U.S. Navy amphibious ships brought health care and other relief services to eight Latin American and Caribbean nations during Continuing Promise 2008 a humanitarian and civic assistance mission. Humanitarian teams embarked on USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and USS Boxer (LHD 4) provided medical care to more than 71,000 patients, conducted 348 surgeries and completed numerous community renovation projects. Continuing Promise offered valuable training to U.S. military personnel while promoting partnerships and goodwill.

From Sept. 8–26, Kearsarge supported international disaster relief operations in Haiti. During the mission, the ship provided robust air and sealift support, delivering more than 3.3 million pounds of food, water and other aid to communities that were devastated by a succession of storms -- Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike. Medical teams from the ship also provided limited health care and assessments to affected communities.

Ponds is a native of Alabama. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alabama in 1982 and received his commission from Officer Candidate School in June 1983.

Capt. Bruening, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, entered the United States Navy in 1986 after graduation from the University of Notre Dame. He received his commission through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program and was designated a naval aviator in January 1988. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame as well as an Executive Master in business administration from the Naval Postgraduate School and a masters degree in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/surflant/.