The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) held a change of command ceremony aboard the ship May 5, 2017, during a scheduled port visit in Souda Bay, Greece.

Capt. Maximilian Clark took command of Mesa Verde from Capt. Randall Peck who has been the commanding officer since Feb. 25, 2016.

Quote:

"This has been an amazing journey, being the commanding officer of the Mesa Verde has been one of my proudest accomplishments and I couldn't have done it without this crew. You fought through hard times and I know you stand ready to answer our country's call."
-Capt. Randy Peck

"It is a great honor to join this fine war-fighting team on deployment as the ship's new commanding officer. I've been impressed with the professionalism and skill onboard Mesa Verde and look forward to getting to sea and executing the mission."
-USS Mesa Verde commanding officer, Capt. Maximilian Clark

Quick Facts:

Mesa Verde is designed to transport and land Marines, their equipment and supplies, by embarked air cushion or conventional landing craft or expeditionary fighting vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

While in theater, more than 4,000 Sailors and Marines of the Bataan Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will train to share information, experiences, and work together for regional stability.

The Bataan ARG is comprised of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8, the 24th MEU, amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). Also embarked on the Bataan ARG are Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Fleet Surgical Team 6, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, Assault Craft Unit 4, and Beachmaster Unit 2.

The 24th MEU consists of more than 2,200 Marines, including a Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), and Combat Logistics Battalion 24 and the MEU command element.

The U.S. Navy maintains a presence in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to help preserve peace and security and to further their partnerships with friends and allies. This forward presence contributes to freedom of navigation and lawful use of the sea, as well as furthers operational training and enables an exchange of culture, skills, and tactical knowledge.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.




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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.