New Commander Named for USS Anchorage

Capt. J.J. Cummings relieved Capt. Michael McKenna as commanding officer aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) during a change of command ceremony Sept. 3.

This change of command was special for Capt. McKenna because it was his last. He retired after 26 years of service in the U.S. Navy.

McKenna, from Missoula, Montana, has more than 3,200 flight hours and 540 arrested landings. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Individual Air Medal (with Combat V), Strike Flight Air Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat V).

Cummings, a native of Sharon, Massachusetts, attended Aviation Officer Candidate School in November of 1991, earned his pilot wings in October 1993 and completed Fleet Replacement training in the F-14/A Tomcat in June 1995.

As a part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, USS Anchorage, and the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

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Image: US Navy