Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9 welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony in the Grand Vista Ballroom on Naval Station Everett (NSE), Jan. 21.
Capt. Christopher M. Engdahl, a native of South Bend, Indiana, relieved Capt. William M. Triplett, from Baltimore, of his duties as DESRON-9 commander during the ceremony.
During his tour as commodore, Triplett served as both the immediate superior in command (ISIC) for four guided-missile destroyers and three guided-missile frigates, based at NSE, Naval Station San Diego, and Naval Station Pearl Harbor; he also acted as the sea combat commander (SCC) for the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9.
As CSG-9’s SCC, Triplett coordinated the training of five ships in surface and sub-surface defense in preparation for independent deployment to the Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as the Arabian Gulf. Additionally, he acted as the sea combat commander mentor for the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy during the Rim of the Pacific Exercise from July to August 2014.
Engdahl has served as the deputy commander of DESRON-9 since July 2013. He has also served as commanding officer aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55).
Triplett’s next assignment is to Washington, D.C., where he will serve in the Pentagon on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations.
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Press release, Image: US Navy