Commander, Task Force (CTF) 52 / Commander, Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCMRON) 5 held a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, March 5.

Capt. Michael Egan relieved Capt. Eric Wirstrom as the task force commander of mine countermeasures operations in U.S. 5th Fleet. CTF 52/MCMRON 5 is a multi-national task force that oversees all mine countermeasures assets in the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet area of operations.

"For the last 20 months, Eric's mine countermeasure forces constantly raised the bar under very challenging conditions, under Navy, joint and multi-national tasking," said Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, commander of U.S. Navy 5th Fleet. "Thanks to his work, we're ready 24/7."

Wirstrom said he owes all his success to the men and women under his charge.

"It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and determination on the part of many Sailors to get the job done, as well as a lot of teamwork with our allies and coalition partners," Wirstrom said. "I'm incredibly proud of the job this team has done, and I look forward to hearing great things about CTF 52/MCMRON 5 with my friend Capt. Egan at the helm. Thank you all for your service and commitment to excellence in mine warfare."

With a salute, Wirstrom turned over command of CTF 52/MCMRON 5 to Egan, who greeted his staff as commodore for the first time.

"I'm both humbled and honored to be part of the CTF 52/MCMRON 5 team and to get to work alongside with so many dedicated and professional war fighters," said Egan. "This is a busy part of the world and I'm ready to get started in continuing to accomplish this mission."

CTF 52/MCMRON 5 includes Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 Det. 2 and the mine countermeasures ships USS Sentry (MCM 3), USS Devastator (MCM 6), USS Gladiator (MCM 11), and USS Dextrous (MCM 13).

U.S. 5th Fleet's responsibility encompasses about 2.5 million square miles and includes the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, and parts of the Indian Ocean. The area is comprised of 27 countries, and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

For further questions, please contact U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs Office 011-973-1785-4562 or navcentpao@me.navy.mil

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/.