Cmdr. Bruce W. Golden relieved Cmdr. Brian K. Hamel as commanding officer (CO) of amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) during a change of command ceremony, Aug. 10, aboard the ship in Portsmouth, Va.

Hamel, from Kalamazoo, Mich., enlisted in the Navy in 1993 as a Personnelman and graduated from Old Dominion University in 2000. He expressed his appreciation for the effort and leadership exhibited aboard Carter Hall during his 70-day command.

“It’s the Sailors of Carter Hall who make this ship what it is,” said Hamel. “This crew has fought through every adversity, been knocked down and stood right back up. This is truly the best ship on the waterfront.”

A native of Craig, Colo., Golden summed up the mission for Carter Hall in six words.

“Working for peace, ready for war,” said Golden.

Golden enlisted in the Navy in 1998 and graduated from the University of Washington.

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