USS Farragut Changes Command at NS Mayport

The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Mayport Nov. 14.

Cmdr. Cory R. Applebee relieved Cmdr. William Musser as Farragut’s commanding officer.

After serving as Farragut’s executive officer during her deployment with the USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) Carrier Strike Group, Musser assumed command in May, 2013. He completed a tour overseeing the ships post-deployment maintenance availability, a highly dynamic and compressed basic phase, an Inspection and Survey, and several multi-ship exercises.

For his next tour, Musser will report to Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) in Fallon, Nevada as the Department Head for Tomahawk Missile Tactics and Training.

Guest speaker, Capt. Ryan Tillotson, Commodore, Destroyer Squadron 14, praised Musser for his successful tour onboard Farragut.

Applebee graduated from the University of Kansas and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer’s Training Program in January, 1996. He completed sea tours aboard USS Mount Hood (AE-29), USS Samuel Eliot Morison (FFG-13), USS Simpson (FFG 56), USS Gettysburg (CG 64), and USS Underwood (FFG 36). Applebee’s shore assignments include serving as a NROTC instructor at the University of Kansas and Deputy Battle Watch Commander and the Current Operations Branch Chief during his joint tour at the United States Strategic Command. He earned his Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from Webster University.

His awards include the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, various unit and campaign awards.

Farragut is preparing for her 2015 deployment with the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Carrier Strike Group.

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Press release, Image: US Navy