Capt. Erik Pfister relieved Capt. John Carter as commanding officer of amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) during a change of command ceremony in the ship's hangar bay June 10.

Guest speaker Rear Adm. Cynthia M. Thebaud, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2, spoke of Capt. Carter's outstanding leadership and his successful accomplishments as a result of his outstanding Sailors and Marines.

"J.C., your command of Bataan has been absolutely superb," said Thebaud. "I know you often refer to your crew as the 'Next Greatest Generation,' that you have the utmost respect for those who serve alongside you and know how important it is to create a strong foundation, so we can continue being the greatest Navy in the world. Our Navy and our nation face some significant challenges in the coming years; we depend on the next generation of Sailors and Marines to face those challenges and you have done a phenomenal job honing your crew to do just that."

Under his command, Carter executed an effective yearlong LHD Chief of Naval Operations depot planned maintenance availability (DPMA) preparing the ship to be fully mission capable. His recent performances were as flagship CO for Fleet Weeks Ft. Lauderdale and New York 2016.

During his farewell speech, Carter talked of the hard work and dedication of the Sailors aboard Bataan. He spoke of how he felt privileged to be their leader, and to be counted as one they trusted.

"From the [Board of Inspection and Survey] to deployment in 2014 when we took the fight to our nation's enemies, to a yearlong dry docking at BAE [Systems], and finally as Bataan roared out of the shipyard into the basic phase and concluding with two amazing Fleet Weeks, I have been surrounded by, held up by, and defined by Sailors," said Carter. "I shall never forget any of them, and the sacrifices they and their families make on a daily basis to serve their country."

Bataan welcomed a familiar face as Carter handed over command to his executive officer.

Pfister's tour aboard the ship began September 2014 as part of the Navy's Executive Officer to Commanding Officer Fleet-Up program. Pfister, a native of Newport Beach, California, became Bataan's 14th commanding officer since the ship's commissioning Sept. 20, 1997. A 1991 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Pfister received a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Upon graduation, he attended flight training, was designated a naval aviator and selected to fly the H-46D helicopter.

Pfister served as commander of the 2515th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment at Camp Buehring, Kuwait in 2008-2009 and as executive officer and commanding officer of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 from 2007-2010. He is a 2011 graduate of National Defense University's Industrial College of the Armed Forces and holds a Master's degree in national security and resource strategy.

"I am humbled by the awesome responsibility before me, but I am confident that the training and mentoring I have received over the last 25 years prepared me to lead this great ship and its crew," said Pfister. "The crew is the blood that brings life to the ship. I am honored to be your commanding officer."

Carter will be assuming duties as U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command Chief of Staff at Naval Station Norfolk.

Bataan is the fifth ship of the Navy's Wasp-class ships and is the second U.S. Navy warship to bear the name. CVL-29 was an Independence-class small aircraft carrier commissioned November 1943. After serving in both World War II and the Korean conflict, CVL-29 was decommissioned in 1954.

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