Carrier Strike Group 1 changes command

Rear Adm. Alvin Holsey relieved Rear Adm. John Fuller as commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, during a pierside change of command ceremony, June 12, aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).

Rear Adm. Alvin Holsey renders a salute during a change of command ceremony on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Photo: US Navy

Vice Adm. John D. Alexander, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, presided over the ceremony and thanked Fuller for his efforts over the past 11 months as strike group commander.

“Thank you for being the kind of leader I could count on, your fellow strike group commanders could count on, and, most importantly, your Sailors could count on,” said Alexander. “Please know how very proud we are of you and your accomplishments.”

The strike group successfully completed a sustainment training exercise in November and a Western Pacific deployment in April. The deployment included bilateral exercises with French and Japanese maritime forces, as well as a historic visit to Vietnam, the first by a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group in more than 40 years.

Alexander presented Fuller the Legion of Merit award during the ceremony.

“It has been such an honor that I have been part of such a great team. I feel I gained so much more than I gave,” said Fuller. “To my entire staff, thank you for being a family, leading by example and demonstrating great professionalism, humility and tenacity.”

Fuller is scheduled to report to U.S. Northern Command in Colorado to serve as the director for strategy, policy and plans.

Holsey addressed strike group staff and leaders after assuming all duties and responsibilities as the CSG-1 commander.

“I am honored today to stand before you as your leader,” said Holsey. “We will take every advantage to execute with professionalism, with purpose, and with precision.”

Holsey received his commission through the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Morehouse College in 1988. He commanded Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37 from 2007 to 2008 and the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) from 2013 to 2014.

Holsey reported to the strike group from the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, D.C., where he served as a deputy director for operations.

Carrier Strike Group 1 was formally established in 2009. The strike group includes aircraft carrier Carl Vinson; Carrier Air Wing 2; guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57); Destroyer Squadron 1 guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane (DDG 77), USS Sterett (DDG 104), USS Dewey (DDG 105), and USS Michael Murphy; and USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001).