The Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) held a change of command ceremony on the ship’s flight deck while in port at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Sept. 26, 2019.   

During the ceremony, Cmdr. Matthew R. Shellock relieved Cmdr. Bruce W. Golden as Carter Hall’s commanding officer. Capt. Brian J. Finman, commodore, Amphibious Squadron Four, presided over the ceremony and served as the guest speaker.

Under Golden, who took command of Carter Hall in August 2018 while the ship was conducting a phased maintenance availability, the crew successfully completed a deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to participate in exercise UNITAS LX (60) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Golden will report to Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic.    

“The Carter Hall, she’s a great ship,” said Golden. “The cold steel beneath our very feet does nothing without the crew. You all should be proud of what you have accomplished, the job you do every day and the future ahead of you.”  

Shellock, who served as Carter Hall’s executive officer from February 2018 to July 2019, officially assumed the title of commanding officer after orders were read and salutes rendered.

“I am incredibly proud but also humbled to be your commanding officer,” said Shellock.  “The team we have is the best with whom I have ever served.”

Carter Hall is a Harpers Ferry Class cargo variant dock landing ship and is the second amphibious ship to bear the name. Carter Hall was launched Oct. 2, 1993, and commissioned Sept. 30, 1995. 

The ship recently returned from participating in exercise UNITAS LX (60) in Rio de Janeiro and operating in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy Facebook or Twitter.

For more news from Expeditionary Strike Group 2, visit www.navy.mil/.