Cmdr. Kenneth Lieberman relieved Cmdr. Kevin Ralston as commanding officer of Littoral Combat Ship Crew 108 aboard USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) during a change of command ceremony Feb. 15 at BAE Systems in Jacksonville, Florida.

Ralston assumed command April 2015, and guided the Freedom-class variant and crew through many LCS program milestones.

"I am honored to have served as LCS Crew 108's first commanding officer," said Lieberman. "In nearly 20 years of service, I've yet to serve with another crew that has as much professionalism and toughness as this one, and 'Crew Leviathan' brings it to work every day."

"This crew is truly remarkable and represents, like all of our service men and women, the very best our country has to offer!" he continued.

Ralston led the crew through its stand up, basic phase training, the ship's commissioning, and Great Lakes sail around.

He managed the ship's emergent voyage repairs and its transit to Mayport, Florida, which has since become her homeport. The crew also completed the full-ship shock trials and provided valuable data concerning the heavy weather survivability of the Freedom variant and its shipboard systems, withstanding hurricane force winds and seas during Hurricane Matthew.

Lieberman is a Whitehall, Pennsylvania, native who received his bachelor's degree from the Ohio State University. His most recent tours include commanding officer of mine countermeasures ship USS Avenger (MCM 1) and as executive officer of LCS Crew 108 aboard Milwaukee.

"I am excited to take command of this great crew," said Lieberman. "Commander Ralston was an outstanding captain and set a precedent of excellence for this crew moving forward. I am humbled to have the opportunity to lead these Sailors as their commanding officer."

LCS Crew 108 is currently in its basic phase and expects to take their ship through combat systems ship qualification testing and fleet contractor trials later this year.

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