Rear Adm. David F. Steindl relieved Rear Adm. T. K. Shannon as commander, Carrier Strike Group One (CSG-1) during a change of command ceremony aboard aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Feb. 21.
Shannon, who assumed command of CSG-1 Nov. 18, 2011, led the strike group through a successful Western Pacific (WESTPAC) and Arabian Gulf deployment, during which the strike group supported coalition forces in Afghanistan in the 5th Fleet area of operations (AOR) and participated in Exercise Malabar 2012 with the Indian Navy in the 7th Fleet AOR.
While under Shannon’s command, CSG-1 also became the first strike group to participate in the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI), a maritime law enforcement operation within the Oceania’s exclusive economic zone.
“It has been my honor and privilege to work with the outstanding men and women of Carrier Strike Group One over the past two years,” said Shannon. “Time and again you displayed the utmost professionalism and perseverance, ensuring we were always trained and ready to deploy whenever called upon by our leadership.”
Vice Adm. Gerald R. Beaman, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, was the guest speaker and presented Shannon with the Legion of Merit for his exceptionally meritorious service from November 2011 to February 2013.
Shannon will soon travel to Washington, D.C. to assume command of the Navy’s Military Sealift Command.
A native of Stillwater, Okla., Steindl assumed command of CSG-1 following his last tour of duty as the commander of Naval Service Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.
Steindl’s at sea assignments include damage control assistant and main propulsion assistant USS Crommelin (FFG 37), propulsion plant examiner for the Pacific Fleet Propulsion Examining Board, engineer officer USS Cowpens (CG 63), executive officer USS Ross (DDG 71), commanding officer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), and commander, Destroyer Squadron 7. He also served as the sea combat commander during the Ronald Reagan Strike Group’s maiden deployment to the Arabian Gulf.
Steindl has completed one Mediterranean and six WESTPAC deployments, during which he supported Operations Southern Watch, Allied Force/Noble Anvil and Enduring Freedom.
CSG-1 was formally established Oct. 1, 2009 and deployed in November 2011 with Carl Vinson, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 with the embarked “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, the “Sunliners” of VFA 81, the “Stingers” of VFA 113, the “Fist of the Fleet” of VFA 25, the “Garudas” of Electronic Attack Squadron 134, the “Tigertails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 and the “Red Lions” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 15, Destroyer Squadron One (DESRON 1), guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97). CSG-1 is currently operating from Naval Air Station North Island and is stationed aboard Carl Vinson.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, February 22, 2013; Image: US Navy