Destroyer Squadron 50 Changes Command

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120625-03
6/25/2012

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Blake Midnight, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain (NNS) -- Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50 held a change of command ceremony, on board Naval Support Activity, Bahrain, June 20.

Capt. Stephen Evans relieved Capt. Edward Cashman as commander.

"It's been a true pleasure working with all of you," said Cashman to those in attendance. "I appreciate the fellowship, the personal and professional relationships and the opportunity to be a part of a small group of professionals, far from home doing important work for our Navy and our nation, and our friends and allies."

Vice Adm. John Miller, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces, presented Cashman with the Legion of Merit, for his performance from July 2010 to June 2012.

"Under Cashman's superb and exemplary leadership DESRON 50 successfully executed a wide range of missions, providing maritime security in the Arabian Gulf, Indian Ocean and Somali Basin," said Miller.

Cashman's next assignment will be the chief of staff at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. Cashman, a native of Brockton, Mass., graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1987 and was commissioned in 1988.

Evans thanked the many guests in attendance including Miller, Commodore Simon Ancona, deputy commander, Combined Maritime Forces, as well as the other Combined Task Force commanders.

"I'm humbled to be standing on this stage, serving this command, as part of a very strong Navy and Coast Guard team, working alongside our allies and coalition partners, in our Navy's priority area of operation at this critical time in our history," said Evans.

DESRON 50, as Commander Task Force 55, has operational control of five U.S. naval vessels and six U.S. Coast Guard cutters.

DESRON 50 conducts maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, developing security in the maritime environment to promote stability and global prosperity. Its operations complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment.