Amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20) held a change of command ceremony July 20, in which Capt. Nathan J. Moyer relieved Capt. Kristy D. McCallum in Sasebo, Japan.

Moyer, who was most recently executive officer of Green Bay, takes the reins from McCallum, who will assume duties as deputy director, International Engagements (N3/5) at the Pentagon.

Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. John B. Nowell Jr., served as the ceremony's guest speaker and presiding officer and presented McCallum with the Legion of Merit while commending her exceptional work.

"Our Navy's success is dependent upon the quality and strength of our leaders and Green Bay's commanding officer has demonstrated those qualities throughout her long and successful career," said Nowell. "[Capt. McCallum], I congratulate you for the excellent job you have done here. You can be proud of what you have accomplished with your crew and you have been an exceptional driving force in U.S. 7th Fleet. We will be sorry to see you go."

During her tenure aboard Green Bay, McCallum planned and accomplished an aggressive training schedule that allowed Green Bay to meet all requirements for an accelerated basic training phase and a successful homeport shift from San Diego to Sasebo, Japan. As an expeditionary warfare expert, she led Green Bay through over 60 amphibious wet well operations resulting in the launch and recovery of over 600 tons of equipment and over 2,000 personnel.

Demonstrating Green Bay's warfighting capabilities, she assumed air defense commander for 11 air defense exercises and executed 2,730 air operations during Green Bay's certification exercise, Korean Marine Exchange Program, Exercise Balikatan 2015, and Exercise Talisman Sabre 2015. Her vigilant oversight and thorough understanding of fleet maintenance was instrumental in Green Bay completing a nine-month, $26.7 million selective restricted availability, ensuring the ship would be ready for operational tasking on time.

While giving her remarks, McCallum praised the exceptional work of her crew and she expressed how much she enjoyed being their commanding officer.

"To say I have been fortunate to have the privilege to serve with you and to lead you does not begin to cover it," said McCallum. "At first you surprised me with all that you accomplished, but I quickly learned that we are all capable of so much more than we ever thought. As your captain, I asked a lot of you, and every day you delivered. Together you have started a new Green Bay legacy here in U.S. 7th Fleet. As you work to build the 'Title Town' legacy, do not forget about your own goals and ambitions and what brought all of us here today to serve together."

At the end of her speech, McCallum emphasized the fact she felt honored to have commanded Green Bay and that she will always be a member of the Green Bay family.

"I have been privileged and humbled to be part of Green Bay," said McCallum, in her final remarks to the crew. "I will cherish this time and experience, taking what you have taught me and doing my level best with it to continue my journey. Although my time on Green Bay and with you, my crew, has come to an end, I will forever be a Green Bay Sailor."

After McCallum read her orders and officially turned over her position as commanding officer, Moyer gave his remarks to the crew.

"The crew is the life of this ship," said Moyer. "I have watched you successfully execute a homeport shift, excel in all operational commitments, and knock each and every warfare certification out of the park. Witnessing your success has been nothing short of amazing. You have prepared this ship for any mission and I look forward to taking Green Bay forward with you."

A surface warfare officer, Moyer is a 1993 graduate of Cornell University and is also a graduate of the Naval War College. He has served in a diverse range of assignments at sea and ashore. Most notably, he was executive officer aboard USS Black Hawk (MHC 58) and USS Juneau (LPD 10), and commanding officer aboard USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43). He also served as deputy commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7/Amphibious Force 7th Fleet.

Moyer is now the sixth commanding officer selected to command the U.S. Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious transport dock.

Green Bay is attached to the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and is currently in port conducting preparations for an upcoming deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

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