Commander, Amphibious Squadron 6 (CPR-6) held a change of command ceremony aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) July 17.

Capt. David Guluzian relieved Capt. Joseph R. O’Brien as the next commodore of CPR-6 during the small and COVID-19 compliant ceremony in the ship’s hangar bay.

During his farewell remarks at the podium Capt. O’Brien thanked the CPR-6 staff for their steadfast support and reflected on some of their accomplishments during his time as the CPR-6 commodore.

“Over the last 15 months we’ve done a lot of hard work, especially wrapping up deployment in the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet AOR’s and responding to COVID-19 in New York City,” O’Brien said.  “We had a great inclusive team, everyone brought something to the table, and I appreciate that.”

Capt. O’Brien will report to Expeditionary Strike Group 2 for temporary duties.

Capt. Guluzian’s most recent assignment was at U.S Fleet Forces Command; however, he is no stranger to the ‘Gator Navy’.  He previously served as executive and then commanding officer of USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the flagship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group that CPR-6 embarks and assumes all command and control from during Kearsarge ARG deployments.  He expressed excitement for the opportunity to once again work with and this time lead CPR-6, whose motto is, “To the beach and beyond.”

“To Capt. O’Brien, thank you for your years of service to our nation and for your tireless drive to make PHIBRON 6 a squadron of readiness and war-fighting,” said Guluzian. “To the warriors of the PHIBRON 6 staff, I was proud to have served alongside you in New York City and now, I am humbled to stand with you as we continue the work that needs to be done to prepare the Kearsarge ARG for deployment.”

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