Commander, Task Force 70 (CTF 70) held a change of command ceremony on board the Carrier Strike Group 5 (CSG 5) flagship, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), while the ship was in port Yokosuka, July 29.

During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Charles Williams assumed command of the U.S. Navy's largest Battle Force from Rear Adm. John Alexander.

"I am enormously proud to have served alongside the great Sailors of Battle Force 7th Fleet," said Alexander. "We have accomplished much together over these past two years and they have proven themselves to be the 'Elite of the Fleet.'"

Williams, a graduate of the University of Virginia, became the 72nd commander of Battle Force 7th Fleet, following a tour as commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, Task Force 73 in Sembawang, Singapore.

"To the men and women of Task Force 70 - I look forward to getting started and working with such a professional group of warriors," said Williams. "We will continue to earn the name Battle Force 7th Fleet, and we will continue to be the most trusted and reliable ally and partner here in Japan, in Korea and in fact throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific. We will do that together, as our nation's most capable and most professional strike group."

Alexander's next assignment is at U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk as the director, maritime operations, plans, intelligence, and training.

Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, was the distinguished guest and delivered remarks during the ceremony.

"Charlie Williams is an extraordinary surface warfare officer," said Aucoin. "I had the good fortune to work with him a number of times and he will build on the good things that Sarge [Alexander] has been able to accomplish and the important work that you also did in Singapore will continue within Task Force 70. Logistics is our lifeblood and your [Williams] understanding of it will help the Ronald Reagan Strike Group in the challenge of maintaining the edge in the Indo-Asia-Pacific."

CTF 70 has tactical control of carrier strike groups, cruisers, and destroyers that deploy or transit through the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The CTF 70 commander also serves as CSG 5, the Navy's forward deployed strike group centered around Ronald Reagan and the embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW 5).

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