APRA HARBOR, Guam - Sailors aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) bid farewell to their commanding officer during a change of command ceremony, Feb. 15.

Capt. Mike Wettlaufer was relieved by Capt. Gregory Huffman as commanding officer during the ceremony in the ship's hangar bay in front of distinguished visitors, guests and the ship's crew.

Rear Adm. Ron Boxall, commander, John C. Stennis Strike Group and the ceremony's presiding officer, presented Wettlaufer with a Legion of Merit.

"The most valued quality of a ship's captain is to put the crew's interests first, in which I mean motivate Sailors to succeed at their mission," said Boxall. "And under Mike Wettlaufer, succeed they did. For 32 months, this outstanding captain has led the crew to embrace their motto of 'Look Ahead.'"

Wettlaufer, who will report to Commander, Navy Region Northwest, thanked the crew for their hard work during his tenure, and expressed his confidence in Huffman's ability to take the reins.

"This crew accomplished the most difficult task any ship faces; transition from operations on deployment in 2013, through a long maintenance period, then back through the training and deployment certification process to get us here," said Wettlaufer. "Most impressive though, is that they have not missed a single milestone, or scheduled event, and even hit a few major ones early. I could not be prouder, or more honored, to serve with this amazing ship of heroes."

During Wettlaufer's time as commanding officer, the crew successfully completed a 16-month docking planned incremental availability (DPIA), sea trials, the board of inspection and survey (INSURV), multiple carrier qualification underway periods, Composite Training Unit Exercise and Joint Task Force Exercise in preparation for Stennis' current deployment.

Huffman has served as the commanding officer aboard USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and as executive officer aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65). He comes to Stennis from Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic.

"It is an honor and a privilege to take command of the finest warship in the Navy," said Huffman. "I have absolute faith in this crew and the hard work and preparation they have put in to make this command combat-ready. I look forward to our continued success during this operational deployment."

As he departed the ship for the last time, Wettlaufer stopped to carve his initials into a replica Senate desk in the ship's museum. Since the Civil War, senators have carved their initials into their desks on the Senate floor as they leave office; each of Stennis' commanding officers has followed this tradition to pay homage to Senator John C. Stennis.

Providing a combat-ready force to protect collective maritime interests, Stennis is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment.

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For more news from USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), visit http://www.navy.mil/.