US Navy’s San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD18) held a change of command ceremony on the flight deck while in port Seal Beach, California, Aug. 23.
Upon arrival to Seal Beach, Calif., Capt. Douglas “V8” Verissimo turned over command of the to Capt. Glenn “Shooter” Jamison prior to commencing the ammunition on load in preparation for an upcoming deployment.
The ceremony marked the end of an extensive training cycle and numerous certifications in preparation for deployment. Verissimo led the crew through a challenging five month maintenance availability, inspection and survey preparations, basic phase evolutions, ammunition onload preparations, and pre-deployment workups.
Verissimo will report to Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRPAC) at Naval Air Station North Island.
New Orleans is the second ship in Navy’s San Antonio class of ships, designed to be the most survivable amphibious vessels. The fourth in the U.S. Navy fleet to bear the name, New Orleans was commissioned in March 2007.
The ship combines 21st century amphibious shipbuilding and warfighting technologies to support current and future Marine Corps aircraft and landing craft, and is capable of taking nearly 1,200 Sailors and Marines into harm’s way.
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Image: US Navy