Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) held a change of command ceremony, June 5, in the ship's forecastle.

Capt. Glenn Jamison took command from Capt. Timothy C. Kuehhas, who had been in command since January 2015.

Rear Adm. Bruce Lindsey, commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic, was the guest speaker for the ceremony and presented Kuehhas with the Legion of Merit.

"Someone once told me the essence of leadership meant to get people to accomplish things they did not know they needed to do or did not want to do," said Lindsey. "Those Sailors you see around here today believe in his leadership vision. That is why they, as a nuclear powered aircraft carrier team, have accomplished so much. And that is why they have always accomplished their assigned mission, whatever it may be."

"I am pleased to be here with you to honor this awesome American, this stellar ship captain, as he humbly turns over command of this great warship and crew in our time honored tradition called the 'change of command ceremony,'" said Lindsey.

Kuehhas reflected on his time aboard George Washington and how the crew motivated him to accomplish the mission at hand.

"Over the two-and-a-half years that I've been here, it has been truly amazing to watch the 'Spirit of Freedom' crew at work, both at sea and during our maintenance period," said Kuehhas. "It has been the greatest privilege and honor of my naval career to be able to say that I was a part of this great team. The demands of working on an aircraft carrier are unyielding and I am inspired every day watching over officers, chiefs and crew tackle their many and diverse challenges."

Under Kuehhas' leadership, George Washington achieved the fiscal year 2015 Battle "E" Award. He led the ship through the Navy's first ever three carrier hull swap from Yokosuka, Japan to San Diego, and finally to Norfolk, and prepared George Washington for the refueling and complex overhaul maintenance at Newport News Shipbuilding.

Kuehhas will report to U.S. Fleet Forces, while awaiting follow-on orders, as Jamison looks forward to serving as George Washington's 13th commanding officer.

It's a tremendous honor to take command of George Washington," said Jamison. "I look forward to serving with the 'Spirit of Freedom' crew as we transition to refueling and complex overhaul and set the pace for successful redelivery. We are the plank owners to the second half of this great ship's service life."

Capt. Jamison was the executive officer of aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and captain of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) prior to taking command of George Washington.

George Washington is currently in port preparing to enter Newport News Shipbuilding for the mid-life refueling and complex overhaul.

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