USS Curtis Wilbur Changes Command

US Navy’s forward-deployed Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) held a change of command ceremony Sept. 1.

Cmdr. Amy Graham relieved Cmdr. Hans De For as Curtis Wilbur’s commanding officer during a ceremony on board Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka.

While De For was in command, Curtis Wilbur reached a milestone for sustained readiness as it completed an Extended Dry-dock Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA). The planned maintenance period was part of the DDG Modernization program and focused on mid-life upgrades to hull, mechanical and engineering systems. Lasting 335 days, it was the longest and most extensive overhaul in forward deployed naval forces (FDNF) history to date.

Upon leaving the dry-dock, Curtis Wilbur’s schedule has been compressed with training events and inspections, making it operationally ready and prepared to provide maritime security to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

As executive officer, Graham played a critical role in ensuring the ship returned to peak operational readiness after the maintenance availability period.

Curtis Wilbur is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 to support security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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Image: US Navy