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USS Chafee Holds Change of Command

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS111012-11
10/12/2011

By Ensign Melissa Pelosi, USS Chafee Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) held a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Oct. 5.

Cmdr. Justin A. Kubu relieved Cmdr. Chase D. Patrick as the ship's commanding officer.

"I was very fortunate to have served as executive officer under Cmdr. Patrick. Under his leadership and guidance, Chafee was successful in every operational and training milestone. He provided me with the knowledge, experience and confidence to relieve him as commanding officer. I look forward to leading this great crew and continuing the legacy of excellence in Chafee," said Kubu.

A 1995 graduate of The Citadel, Kubu earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management. He holds a Master of Science in operations research from the Naval Postgraduate School and joint professional military education credit from the Naval War College in 2001.

Patrick assumed command in April 2010 in Singapore when the ship deployed to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. During his command tour Patrick completed a three-month Western Pacific deployment, participated in RIMPAC 2010 and conducted an extended Chief of Naval Operations availability/selected restricted availability.

Chafee successfully completed the unit-level training cycle in April 2011, conducted two port visits to Los Angeles and Seattle in July and August, and is ready to deploy to the western Pacific later this year.

"It was an amazing privilege to lead this group of Navy professionals, I could not have asked for a better crew. They made my job easier, and I expect they will do the same for Cmdr. Kubu," Patrick said. "Our Sailors had an incredible capacity to always complete the mission the first time and to do it the right way. "Our chiefs and officers did a great job taking care of our Sailors, which for me means they were building them for advancement. I also have to mention the great support we received from Destroyer Squadron 31, Afloat Training Group Middle Pacific, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. It truly is a team effort taking care of these ships."

Patrick will report to Navy Personnel Command, Millington, Tenn. to assume duties as the surface warfare officer community manager at the Bureau of Naval Personnel.