Cmdr. Jason D. Kipp relieved Cmdr. Javier Gonzalez during a change of command ceremony held aboard USS Momsen (DDG 92) May 16.

The ceremony marked the end of Gonzalez's 21-month tour as commanding officer aboard the 42nd Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer. During his tour, he successfully led Momsen through an extended Chief of Naval Operations Dry Dock Availability, the Basic Phase Training Cycle, a Readiness Evaluation (READ-E7) and a Board of Inspection and Survey.

"What has been truly and absolutely mesmerizing is how well the crew responded to every challenge," said Gonzalez. "I've demanded excellence and the crew delivered every time. I loved working with the great men and women who shared with me the willingness to sacrifice and serve. I will forever treasure every day in command."

Following a leave period, Gonzalez and his family are scheduled to move to Maryland where he will assume the role of Federal Executive Fellow at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.

Prior to assuming command as Momsen's 10th commanding officer, Kipp served as executive officer under Gonzalez as part of the Navy's XO/CO Fleet Up Program.

"I am truly honored to be able to return to Momsen and serve with this amazing crew," said Kipp. "The pride and professionalism demonstrated by every Sailor onboard is second to none and I look forward to this historic Surface Action Group deployment."

Momsen, along with destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Spruance (DDG 111), with embarked "Devil Fish" and "Warbirds" detachments of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, are deployed as part of a U.S. 3rd Fleet Pacific Surface Action Group under Destroyer Squadron 31.

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