The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) held a change of command ceremony at the fleet landing on Naval Station Rota, Spain, Oct. 27, 2017.

Cmdr. Timothy Moore, former commanding officer of the USS Donald Cook, gave command to Cmdr. Matt Caldwell during the ceremony. The ceremony was attended by the crew of the Donald Cook and was presided over by Capt. Tate Westbrook, commodore of Task Force 65.

"The forward-deployed Naval Forces Europe destroyers uphold the highest operational tempo of the fleet and today's ceremony honors one of the best commanding officers we have here in Rota," said Westbrook. "Cmdr. Moore has delivered superior performance to his ship and crew while maintaining his primary focus of getting the mission done and keeping the crew and their families close in mind."

Moore was the commanding officer of Donald Cook from April of 2016 to October of 2017.

"It was an absolute honor to lead over 300 gifted and hardworking Sailors in a highly dynamic area of operations," said Moore. "As I look back over the many successful accomplishments of Donald Cook, it is difficult to say farewell to such a wonderful team. Throughout every demanding operation, assessment and exercise, the crew has persevered and displayed steadfast resiliency. They have performed brilliantly and have so much to be proud of. I know they will continue to do their best and I am truly humbled to have served as commanding officer of USS Donald Cook."

The current executive officer and future commanding officer Cmdr. Kelley Jones, will have had the opportunity to work with two different commanding officers during her tenure on Donald Cook.

"It has been truly a great honor to work for Captain Tim Moore," said Jones. "I have learned so much in a short three months by watching him lead from the front. Donald Cook has been very successful and accomplished the nearly impossible during his watch. We hope to carry on the tradition by keeping the bar high and the crew safe under new leadership. Donald Cook wishes Captain Moore fair winds and following seas!"

The change of command provided a short break for the crew of Donald Cook but the patrol is not over. The ship will continue operations with its new commanding officer, working toward enhancing security and stability in the region.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.



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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.