Capt. John Schmidt relieved Capt. Brad Cooper as commanding officer of Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) during a ceremony held at Naval Station Mayport, March 27.

During Cooper's tour, Gettysburg was deployed for nine months to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility as the Air and Missile Defense Commander for the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.

During that period, the crew was recognized with both the 2013 and 2014 "Battle E" awards, as well as all five Command Excellence Awards. The crew was also recognized with the Retention Excellence Award and the Unit Tactics Award in back-to-back years; the 2014 CNO Project Good Neighbor Award for top community service program in the Navy; and, the 2014 award for Best Workforce Development Program in the U.S. government. These achievements culminated in Gettysburg's receipt of the 2013 Battenberg Cup from Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces as the best ship, aircraft carrier or submarine in the Navy's Atlantic Fleet.

"Serving as the commanding officer of this extraordinary crew has been the privilege of a lifetime," said Cooper. "These amazing young men and women -- and their families -- represent all that is great about our Navy and it's been an enormous honor to serve with them these past two years."

Cooper's next assignment is at Navy Personnel Command as the director, Surface Warfare Officer Distribution Division (PERS-41).

Rear Adm. Bruce Lindsey, commander, Carrier Strike Group 10, presided over the ceremony.

"I am deeply honored and privileged to be here today amongst the finest Sailors and leaders of our Navy and to be a part of one of our most time-honored traditions - the change of command ceremony," said Lindsey.

Lindsey awareded Cooper the Legion of Merit by Lindsey for his accomplishments as commanding officer of Gettysburg.

"We need captains like Brad Cooper and soon to be captain John Schmidt like never before to continue to want to go to sea to protect you and your families and our interests all over the world," he said. "And that is exactly what Brad Cooper has done - he has led his Sailors to keep the enemy far from our shores."

Schmidt, Gettysburg's new commanding officer, is coming off of a successful tour as a reactor officer aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), where he oversaw the completion of the ship's mid-life refueling and complex overhaul before returning the ship to operational status.

"What struck me most about this crew was your attitude, especially in the midst of a tough maintenance period with the ship headed for a lay-up period," said Schmidt. "I am honored and humbled to be your commanding officer."

Gettysburg, homeported in Mayport, Florida, is currently in the middle of an 11-month maintenance availability, which will include significant upgrades to its hull and engineering plant.

For more news from USS Gettysburg (CG 64), visit www.navy.mil/.