Cmdr. Brad Long relieved Cmdr. Tyrone Bush as commanding officer of USS Little Rock (LCS 9) Gold Crew during a change-of-command ceremony Sept. 9.

Assuming command of the Freedom-Class littoral combat ship in May 2018, Bush led the newly formed crew through its first post-shakedown availability and light-off assessment. In his speech, he highlighted the sense of community and family established onboard and relayed his sentiments on what the crew’s motto "Poised to Strike" means.

“If you look up the definition of 'poised,' it means self-assured, composed and determined.” Bush said. "That is what it means to be poised to strike; we are self-assured, composed and determined to make an impact."

He also shared lessons he'd learned from his superiors: to focus on one’s own sphere of influence, control what can be controlled and to mitigate the rest.

Bush was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal for his performance as commanding officer from May 2018 to September 2019. He will continue his naval service at the Bureau of Personnel in Millington, Tennessee.

Long assumed responsibility as Little Rock Gold's commanding officer after the ceremonious reading of orders and salute exchange. A native of Northern Virginia and a 2001 graduate of the Naval Academy, Long served as Little Rock Gold’s executive officer March 2018 to September 2019. His previous tours include USS Robert G Bradley (FFG 49), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), USS Nicholas (FFG 47), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), instructor at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, the Deputy Executive Assistant for the Director of Surface Warfare Division on the Navy Staff (N96), and Defense Resource Manager for the Program and Budget Division on the Joint Staff (J-8).

"I couldn’t have asked to have been a part of a better command during my tenure as executive officer,” Long said. “I look forward to continue serving alongside you.”

Commissioned in December 2017, Little Rock is the fifth Freedom Class variant built by Lockheed-Martin. Little Rock is gearing up for crew certification in anticipation of the crew’s return on hull.

LCS is a highly maneuverable, lethal and adaptable ship designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions. LCS integrates new technology and capability to affordably support current and future mission capability from deep water to the littorals.

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