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USS Pearl Harbor Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100822-01
8/22/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Russell, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

USS PEARL HARBOR, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) held a change of command ceremony at sea July 31.

Cmdr. Homer R. Denius III relieved Cmdr. David K. Guluzian as USS Pear Harbor commanding officer.

"The crew rallied to make the ship successful across all departments and all warfare areas," said Guluzian. "An incredible amount of hard work was poured into readying the ship for deployment, and the Sailors responded without complaint. They bonded as a team and are extremely proud of their ship."

Guluzian said he feels the most significant accomplishment during his 24-month assignment with Pearl Harbor was the ship's marked increase in retention.

"Unit pride leads to job satisfaction which ultimately keeps the best Sailors in the Navy," said Guluzian. "We honor the legacy of our countrymen and women who perished at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, as well as the Pearl Harbor survivors by operating and maintaining their ship, and being ready for any mission that the Navy assigns."

Guluzian assumed command of USS Pearl Harbor in August 2008 while the crew was operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility during the ship's 2008 Western Pacific deployment.

During Guluzian's time as commanding officer, the crew upgraded the material condition of the ship through two major maintenance periods, set numerous records for performance during various assessments, and delivered a "ready for sustained combat operations" rating during a December 2009 visit by the Board of Inspection and Survey.

Guluzian departs to an assignment at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. where he will serve as a battalion officer.

Denius, a native of Big Horn, Wyo., is reporting to USS Pearl Harbor after serving as the military legislative assistant to Chairman Gene Taylor (MS), House Seapower and Expeditionary Warfare Subcommittee.

"I am completely impressed by the crew," said Denius. "You can tell by the smiles on the Sailors faces that they are happy and very motivated. I am also very impressed with the ship and its recent accomplishments during workups. My goal is to take the ship from where Cmdr. Guluzian has left off and continue maintaining one-hundred percent combat readiness."