Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 conducted a change of command ceremony aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) while operating in the Arabian Gulf and supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, Sept. 14.

Both 1986 graduates of the Naval Academy, Rear Adm. James Malloy relieved Rear Adm. Jesse Wilson as commander of CSG-10 during a ceremony in the ship's forecastle.

Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet, served as the ceremony's guest speaker and presiding officer, presenting Wilson with the Legion of Merit.

"A change of command at sea is the perfect setting and probably the right setting, especially for a carrier strike group commander who is engaged in combat operations," said Donegan. "It underscores that you are out here 'where the rubber meets the road.' You have transformed vision into execution, and those results have been nothing short of outstanding."

Wilson, who will report as assessment division director for the chief of naval operations (OPNAV N81) for his next assignment, thanked the crew for their hard work and dedication during his tour and expressed confidence in Malloy.

"What a humbling experience and an honor it has been to command the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group," said Wilson. "This team has proven its ability to conduct high-end warfighting, while also demonstrating its role as a leader and ambassador for security and stability across three geographic combatant commands as we operate in this dynamic environment. Whether the team is fighting ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) or the heat, they come together to support one another and find innovative ways to be more effective and efficient."

Under his leadership, he led many firsts, overseeing Ike's first Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) and the first supersonic missile exercise off the East Coast in more than 10 years. He operationalized the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP) during the strike group's advanced phase, exceeding manning, training and equipment metrics, and yielding exceptional results during Ike CSG's composite training unit exercise -- the most complex deployment certification event ever conducted.

Deployed to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation, he commanded the centerpiece of the Great Green Fleet for the Atlantic Fleet, which included a biofuel replenishment-at-sea with the Italian navy. Ike CSG supported three combatant commanders during Operations Inherent Resolve (OIR) and Odyssey Resolve. He executed a broad spectrum of maritime security operations as commander, Task Force (CTF) 50, ensuring precise execution of every mission, strengthening the U.S. network of partners and providing a stabilizing presence throughout U.S. Central Command. He implemented a comprehensive and proactive theater security cooperation effort that included exercises with important allies and regional partners, as well as hosted numerous distinguished visitors.

Since deploying, air assets under his charge have generated 840 fixed-wing aircraft sorties in support of OIR, and expended more than 400 rounds of ordnance.

Malloy most recently served as deputy director of operations, U.S. Central Command. He has served aboard destroyer USS Deyo (DD 989), guided-missile frigate USS Fahrion (FFG 22) and guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), commanded coastal minehunter USS Falcon (MHC 59), USS Pinkney (DDG 91) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50, acting as commander of Middle East Force (CTF) 55 and commander of Coalition Task Group 152.1 operating at sea and from Naval Command Centers in Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.

"It is the honor of a lifetime to join such a combat-ready, capable and professional team, and have the opportunity to work under 5th Fleet's command with allies and regional partners to enhance our collective security while working together to defeat a ruthless enemy," said Malloy. "Adm. Wilson has superbly prepared and then led this strike group in combat operations and I will endeavor to follow his lead."

Currently deployed, the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG) consists of Ike, embarked staff and squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, DESRON 26 staff, guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61), and guided-missile destroyers USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94).

CVW-3 consists of the "Fighting Swordsmen" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, the "Sidewinders" of VFA-86, the "Gunslingers" of VFA-105, the "Wildcats" of VFA-131, the "Dusty Dogs" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7, the "Swamp Foxes" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, the "Screwtops" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, the "Zappers" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 and the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.

Ike CSG is operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of OIR and maritime security operations.

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

For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit http://www.navy.mil/.