by
Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
(NORFOLK,
Va.) - A 1989 graduate of U.S. Naval Academy and Wilton, Iowa, native transfers command of USS George H.W. Bush during a change of command ceremony
attended by distinguished visitors, family and crew held aboard the ship on
January 12.
Capt. Will
Pennington transferred command of George H.W. Bush to Capt. Sean Bailey. During his tour,
Pennington assumed command of GHWB in October 2015. He led GHWB through a
planned incremental availability, a demanding work-up cycle and a
record-breaking, seven-month deployment to the U.S 5th and 6th fleet areas of
responsibility.
At the ceremony, Pennington credited the success of
his tour to the teamwork of the warfare commanders and the hard work that the
Sailors gave before, during and after deployment. “I enjoy watching folks
perform the high visibility, hazardous, and difficult jobs with diligence and
professionalism that makes the extraordinary seem routine,” said Pennington.
“To the crew of the finest warship in the fleet – it has been an honor to serve
with you. Thank you for letting me be a part of your team.”
Rear Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, commander Carrier Strike
Group (CSG) 4, was the guest speaker at the event. “You left with a
crew who most had never seen a deployment, and you returned with hardened,
experienced war fighters,” said Whitesell to Pennington. “You understood the
risk, but you also understood that we had a mission to perform. You knew the
limits of our performance and you brought everyone home with all of our fingers
and toes attached. You built a great team. I noticed very early on that this
team could not be defeated!”
GHWB was the first aircraft carrier to support Operation
Inherent Resolve (OIR) for a second time and expended 907 tons of ordnance, the
most expended by a CVN/CVW team since Desert Storm.
GHWB is the tenth and final Nimitz-class aircraft
carrier. Aircraft carriers provide decisive and sustained
airpower to support a full spectrum of mission requirements.
The ship is in port in Norfolk, Virginia while conducting routine maintenance in preparation for the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV).
For more news from USS George H.W. Bush visit
www.navy.mil/local/cvn77 or www.facebook.com/ussgeorgehwbush/.
- - Mass Communication
Specialist 3rd Class Mario Coto, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs