Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, May 6.

With McFaul proudly sporting red, white and blue bunting and all the ship's signal flags flying, Cmdr. Joseph M. Bromley relieved Cmdr. Michael J. Gunther as commanding officer.

Gunther assumed command of McFaul in December 2014 after serving as the ship's executive officer for 18 months. During his tour, McFaul conducted an eight-month independent deployment to the U.S. 4th, 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility -- participating in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, UNITAS and ballistic missile defense operations. McFaul was recognized by Commander, Naval Surface Forces Atlantic and was awarded the 2015 Battle Efficiency award.

Bromley became McFaul's executive officer in August 2015, joining the crew midway through its 2015 deployment. Bromley's sea assignments include strike officer and navigator aboard USS Gonzalez (DDG 66); weapons and combat systems officer aboard USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), assistant surface operations officer for Carrier Strike Group 3, and executive officer aboard USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).

Commissioned in 1998, McFaul is named after Chief Engineman Donald L. McFaul -- a Navy SEAL who demonstrated the highest level of personal sacrifice and valor by giving his life, saving a member of his platoon in Panama during Operation Just Cause, 1989.

For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.