The guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) held a change of command ceremony on the ship's flight deck, May 17.

During the ceremony, Cmdr. Jamie Murdock was relieved by Cmdr. Ryan O'Loughlin as commanding officer of Forrest Sherman.

Murdock has served as Forrest Sherman's commanding officer since November 2016.

"It has been my greatest honor and privilege to serve beside the best Sailors in the Navy as the commanding officer of USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98)," said Murdock. "For the last three years I have seen them grow, both personally and professionally, into the finely tuned machine out on deployment today doing the nation's business. I am incredibly saddened to leave, but I leave knowing they are well trained and will succeed in any mission."

For his leadership, Murdock was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal.

Murdock is a native of Ticonderoga, New York, and graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, History and Criminal Justice.

He will continue his naval service at the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort Story.

O'Loughlin officially assumed the title and responsibilities as Forrest Sherman's commanding officer after orders were read and salutes rendered.

O'Loughlin served as Forrest Sherman's executive officer from September2016 to March 2018. Previous sea tours include Damage Control Assistant aboard USS O'Kane (DDG 77), Fire Control Officer aboard USS Russell (DDG 59), Operations Officer aboard both USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) and USS Monterey (CG 61).

Ashore, O'Loughlin served as the Assistant Surface Warfare Officer Community Manager at PERS-41 in Millington, Tennessee, Anti-Submarine Warfare instructor at Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport, Rhode Island and Strike Group Anti-Submarine Warfare Trainer and Assessor at Undersea Warfighting Development Center Detachment Norfolk.

"I am humbled to be back aboard this truly superb ship and humbled to be amongst this fantastic crew, the lifeblood of any ship," said O'Loughlin.

Forrest Sherman is currently deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. With USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as the flagship, deployed strike group units include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group Eight (CSG 8), Destroyer Squadron Two Eight (DESRON 28) and Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1); as well as Sachsen-class German Frigate FGS Hessen (F221).

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, visit www.navy.mil/.