• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Antietam Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101103-15
11/3/2010

By Ensign Lara Murphy, USS Antietam (CG 54) Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Antietam (CG 54) held a change of command ceremony pier-side at Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 22.

Capt. Robert P. Tortora relieved Capt. John Uhl as commanding officer.

"It has been an honor and privilege to serve aboard Antietam," said Uhl. "I am extremely proud of this crew and their accomplishments."

Uhl was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by Rear Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin, commander, Carrier Strike Group Three (CSG 3). Uhl's next tour will be on the Chief of Naval Operations' staff.

The ceremony marked the end of a successful 24-month command tour for Uhl, who led Antietam through a deployment with USS John C. Stennis in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. During the deployment, Antietam earned the engineering, logistics and management, and communications command excellence awards.

Tortora comes directly from Bureau of Naval Personnel in Millington Tenn., where he served as the surface warfare officer community manager.

Tortora graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science Degree in political science, in 1988. He is a 1995 graduate of the Naval Post Graduate School, where he earned a Master of Science Degree in operations research. He is also a 2003 graduate of the National War College, where he received a Master of Science Degree in national security studies.

Tortora has completed multiple extended deployments, including tours as a communications officer, auxiliaries officer, and main propulsion assistant aboard USS Hewitt (DD 966). He served as executive officer of USS Cushing (DD 985) from March 2001 until July 2002. His most recent assignment at sea was commanding officer of USS Chaffee (DDG-90), during which, he deployed to the Middle East Force and went on a subsequent surge deployment to the Western Pacific. During his tour, USS Chaffee earned the Commander, Destroyer Squadron 23 Battle Efficiency Award and the Pacific Fleet Spokane Trophy for 2007.

"I am very excited to be the commanding officer of USS Antietam," said Tortora "We have a great crew and I look forward to helping to carry on the traditions of this great ship."