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USS Princeton Changes Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100430-31
4/30/2010

By Ensign Ronald Baldwin, USS Princeton (CG 59) Public Affairs

USS PRINCETON, At Sea (NNS) -- Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) held a change of command ceremony at sea April 23.

Capt. Rich E. Haidvogel, Big Flats, N.Y., relieved Capt. Roy I. Kitchener, of Trumbull, Conn., of command at the ceremony.

Haidvogel most recently served as Commander Strike Force Training Pacific as the surface operations officer. A graduate from Villanova University in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in computer science, Haidvogel was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer's Training Corps. He served aboard the frigate USS Cook (FF 1083) as damage control assistant and navigator. He completed a follow-on division officer tour aboard USS Leahy (CG 16) as battery control officer.

Kitchener assumed command of Princeton in August 2008. During his time as commanding officer, the ship conducted a successful Ticonderoga-class modernization, upgrading Princeton's operational capabilities. He then led the ship and crew through a highly engaged training cycle testing and certifying the ship's readiness in all warfare areas.