Rear Adm. John E. Gumbleton was relieved as Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group THREE (ESG 3), by Rear Adm. Philip E. Sobeck, April 10.

A change of command would normally follow Navy tradition, with a ceremony commensurate to the level of customs and courtesies required. However, not formal ceremony was conducted as the Navy continues to follow the strict CDC guidelines about group gatherings.

As ESG-3, Gumbleton led his strike group of 31 subordinate commands and over 15,000 Sailors and Marines, to overwhelming successes in operations as well as improvements in material readiness, training, and tactical proficiency.

Charged with preparing, providing, and employing combat-ready amphibious forces, he enabled the highly successful execution of USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG)/11th MEU deployment, on-time home port shift of USS America and New Orleans to Sasebo, Japan, USS Essex and Makin Island ARG pre-deployment training cycle, and the command element for 2019 San Francisco fleet week.

“During my tour as ESG 3, we changed the focus and climate to a warfighting first mindset.  I’m proud of the work the strike group accomplished and recognize that it was the collective efforts of our entire team – the staff and the 15,000 men and women of our 14 warships and subordinate commands”, said Gumbleton.  “I am completely amazed at their commitment to mission accomplishment before, and especially now during these challenging times.”

Gumbleton, a native of Falmouth, Mass. previously served as director Maritime Headquarters (N4/5/8/9), U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa. Leading naval component theater engagement development, resource programming, and operational planning in support of U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command.

Operationally, his squadron and ship flying assignments include; Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 44, deploying with USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) and USS Vicksburg (CG 69); HSL-46, deploying with USS Ticonderoga (CG 47) and USS Taylor (FFG 50). In command he led the men and women of HSL-48 and USS Boxer (LHD 4).

Gumbleton’s shore assignments include the Bureau of Naval Personnel as War College and graduate education detailer; flag lieutenant to Commander, Naval Air Systems Command; legislative fellow to Senator John Warner of Virginia; and congressional liaison, Appropriations Matters Office in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (FM&C); military assistant to Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff Allied Command Transformation Staff Element Europe; CNO Fellow to Strategic Studies Group 34; director, Operations Division (FMB1), Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (FM&C).

Sobeck, a native of Boyertown, Penn. enlisted in the Navy in 1985 as a Machinist Mate (Nuclear) and a 1991 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, had this to say.

“I am humbled and honored for the opportunity to lead the Sailors and Marines of ESG 3,” said Sobeck. “I want to thank Rear Admiral Gumbleton and his family for their service to ESG 3, our Navy and our Nation as it is evident that his steadfast leadership and commitment to warfighting excellence is exactly what was needed to fight and win tomorrows fight today.”

Sobeck, previously served as director of the 21st Century Sailor Office OPNAV (N17).

His operational tours include, USS Hawes (FFG 53), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), USS McFaul (DDG 74), Destroyer Squadron 50, and the First Combined United States and United Kingdom Destroyer Squadron (1 CDS) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).  He commanded USS Avenger (MCM 1), USS Ardent (MCM 12), USS Farragut (DDG 99), Destroyer Squadron 50, and Commander Task Force 55.

Ashore, Sobeck’s assignments include; PERS 410B, Bureau of Naval Personnel; executive assistant to the commandant of midshipman; deputy director for Maritime Security (Political Military International Security Office, U.S. State Department); executive assistant to Chief of Naval Operations Executive Learning Officer; assistant deputy director Flag Officer Management and Detailing (PERS N00F); senior military assistant to Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness); deputy executive assistant to Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces; director, Future Fleet Design and Architecture OPNAV (N3/N5); military assistant to the 76th Secretary of the Navy; and special assistant to the director of Digital Warfare Office (N2/N6).

“The work Rear Admiral Gumbleton and his staff have done over the past several months has increased our ability to work hand-in-hand with the Marine Corps as a ‘Blue-Green’ team, and I appreciate all the hard work he has done while leading Expeditionary Strike Group 3,” said Vice Adm. Scott Conn. “I know Rear Admiral Sobeck will continue to build on those efforts and I will look to him to guide ESG 3 and the Blue-Green team as they prepare for any future challenges the Navy and our nation may face.”

ESG-3 is strictly an operational command, certifying expeditionary strike group forces for deployment and maintaining proficiencies as a staff to provide fleet commanders with a ready fly-away unit that is extremely flexible across the spectrum of military operations in the Pacific.

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