Peleliu Hosts Amphibious Squadron 3 Change of Command Ceremony

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Viramontes, USS Peleliu Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The staff of Commander, Amphibious Squadron (CPR) 3 held a change of command ceremony on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) on aboard Base San Diego, June 6.

During the cermeony, Capt. Clint A. Carroll relieved Capt. Shawn W. Lobree as commodore.

Lobree will report next to the University of Oklahoma Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps unit.

The ceremony included remarks from Lobree, Carroll and Rear Adm. Fernandez L. Ponds, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Three.

Lobree talked about how shortly after he reported aboard COMPHIBRON 3, the staff helped to decommission USS Dubuque (LPD 8) and USS Cleveland (LPD 7).

"Both ships had long and distinguished histories of supporting our nation's interests and will be well remembered by the Sailors who served in them" said Lobree. "Shortly afterwards, our staff gained two new warships, USS Rushmore (LSD 47) and USS Green Bay (LPD 20), both of which would continue on to become integral parts of our 2012-2013 Western Pacific deployment with Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (ARG)."

Some of the Peleliu ARG participated in Exercise Red Reef in Saudi Arabia, Exercise Leading Edge in United Arab Emirates and Exercise Crocodilo in Timor Leste.

"I never ceased to be impressed by the ability of our Sailors and Marines to meet and exceed any expectation that was pressed upon them" said Lobree."

The ARG and accompanying Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) comprise a team of 5,000 Marines and Sailors who must learn to work together to accomplish any thing that is asked of them.

"The Navy and Marine Corps team that deployed as the Peleliu ARG/15th MEU in 2012 and 2013 are a group of professionals that I am proud to say I was a part of. We met and exceeded every challenge and brought everyone home safely."

Carroll shared his thoughts with the Peleliu ARG thus far and the skills of the crew.

"To the CPR 3 staff and our ships: Thank you for all of your hard work. I'd like to specifically thank Capt. Paul C. Spedero Jr. and the entire crew of USS Peleliu for the hard work in supporting today's ceremony," said Carroll. "The youngest Sailors serving on our staff and ships ... were born in 1996. In the years since then, six new nations have emerged in the international community and they have largely done so peaceably due in no small part to the stability you help create. Our nation and our world are better because of your service and your leadership."

Farewell gifts were presented to Lobree during the ceremony by Master Chief Electronics Technician Daniel D. Shuksta, CPR 3's senior enlisted advisor, to include an ornamental command pennant.

Following the ceremony, Carroll hosted a farewell reception in the hangar bay.

Peleliu is preparing for an upcoming scheduled deployment.