USS Russell Changes Command in San Diego

The officers and crew of the guided missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) held a change of command ceremony on board Naval Base San Diego, June 11.

During the ceremony, Cmdr. Gill McCarthy relieved Cmdr. James Harney as commanding officer.

The guest speaker for the event was Capt. Paul H. Hogue, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 23.

Harney assumed command of Russell Jan. 24, 2014, leading the ship through an $84 million extended dry dock selective restrictive availability. Harney’s next tour of duty will be at Afloat Training Group Mayport, Florida.

McCarthy most recently completed a tour as Russell’s executive officer as part of the DDG fleet-up process. He has also completed tours on board USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) and USS Halsey (DDG 97) as well as on the staff of Destroyer Squadron 7.

Russell is part of the U.S. Navy’s Aegis BMD program.

The ship and crew are currently in the basic training phase in preparation for a deployment later this year.

[mappress mapid=”16222″]

Image: US Navy