USS Denver (LPD 9) held a change of command ceremony aboard the ship Oct. 24 while in its homeport of Sasebo.Capt. Michael Donnelly relieved Capt. Kevin P. Lenox as commanding officer, becoming the 31st commanding officer of Denver since the ship’s commissioning in 1968.
Capt. Michael “Buzz” Donnelly is a native of Kent Island, Md. In 1989, he graduated with a bachelor of mechanical engineering degree from Villanova University and was commissioned via the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC). He holds a master of arts in national security studies and strategic affairs from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. The ceremony brought to a close a successful 12-month command tour for Lenox. During that time Denver completed a seven-month maintenance availability period and steamed to Okinawa, the coast of Australia, and Timor-Leste (East Timor) in support of joint-force exercises and operations with the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Readiness Group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). Denver conducted exercise Koolendong, the 31st MEU’s certification exercise (CERTEX), and Talisman Saber 2013.
Lenox’s next assignment will be as Director, Missile Warning Center at the USSTRATCOM Combat Operation Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Denver reports to Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Hugh D. Wetherald and is part of the Bonhomme Richard ARG. Press Release, October 25, 2013; Image: Wikimedia |
USS Denver Changes Command
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