Guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Rota, Spain, May 5.

Cmdr. Timothy Moore relieved Cmdr. Charles Hampton as the ship's commanding officer during a ceremony attended by Donald Cook Sailors, special guests, family and friends.

Quotes:

"Cmdr. Hampton and Donald Cook have performed superbly at the vanguard of Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe. Team 75's execution of every mission with efficiency and style garnered a reputation of excellence for both the ship and the squadron as a whole."
- Guest speaker, Capt. Richard Dromerhauser, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 60

"As I look back over the last 37 months onboard I am truly humbled by the enormous success we have enjoyed," said Hampton. "I can say without a doubt this has been the best crew and the most motivated crew I have been associated with in my 20 years of service."
- Cmdr. Charles Hampton, former commanding officer, USS Donald Cook

"It is wonderful to be here today and truly humbling to assume command of this legendary warship at such a dynamic time in the 6th Fleet area of operations."
- Cmdr. Timothy Moore, commanding officer, USS Donald Cook

Quick Facts:

Dromerhauser presented Hampton with a Meritorious Service Medal for his work aboard the ship. Hampton attributed the award to the actions of the Donald Cook team.

Moore is returning to Donald Cook, where he was previously stationed as the ship's executive officer.

Moore is a native of Fort Valley, Georgia. Following completion of the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training program, he attended Hampton University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 1998.

At sea, Moore served on USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) as first division officer, USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) as the ship's navigator, USS Underwood (FFG 36) as operations officer, USS Vicksburg (CG 69) as Expeditionary Action Group 1 Operations Planner, and USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) as operations officer.

USS Donald Cook, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, forward deployed to Rota, Spain, conducts periodic routine patrols in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

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