Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Amy Forsythe | SŁUPSK, Poland (Dec. 17, 2019) – U.S. Navy Cmdr. Joshua Lewis, Aegis Ashore Missile...... read more read more
By Lt. Amy Forsythe Naval Support Facility Redzikowo Public Affairs
SŁUPSK, Poland (Dec. 17, 2019) – U.S. Navy Cmdr. Joshua Lewis relinquished command of U.S. Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System Poland (AAMDS) to Cmdr. Derek Johnson in a ceremony in Slupsk, Poland, Tues., Dec. 17, 2019.
Personnel assigned to Naval Support Facility (NSF) Redzikowo and AAMDS participated in the ceremony held at the civilian Police Academy in the nearby town of Słupsk.
The Aegis Ashore site at Redzikowo is Phase III of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA). The first phase involved deploying Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD)-capable Aegis ships and a deployed surveillance radar to Europe. The second phase deployed an Aegis Ashore site in Deveselu, Romania, which became operational in July of 2016.
As a plank owner and first commander of AAMDS Poland, Lewis praised his crew for how they performed. “Although we’re not on mission here in Poland, yet…over the past 24-months, our crews provided direct support to large-scale Navy exercises at sea, assisted our sister organization in Romania and also participated in numerous missile flight tests,” he said.
Lewis, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate class of 2000, thanked all those in attendance for their continued support while the system is being built from the ground-up. “For everyone here today, you have in one way or another contributed to or been a part of this journey with us. As a plank owner and first commanding officer, trust me when I tell you that this has been one of the most life-enriching experiences I’ve ever had and one I will never forget.”
Johnson relieved Lewis as the executive officer of Aegis Ashore in Deveselu, Romania, in 2016, and then assumed command from him again in Poland, Lewis explained in his remarks. “I know that Aegis Ashore Poland is in good hands and I wish you and the crew all the best as you assume command here. I’m certain you will enjoy this tour as much as I did,” he added.
Johnson graduated from University of Virginia in 2001 and earned his Masters of Business Administration degree from Naval Postgraduate School and linguist certification in French from the Defense Language Institute. Before becoming the second commanding officer for AAMDS Poland, Johnson completed a 14-month tour as the commander of the Military Sealift Command Office in Korea.
NSF Redzikowo is the first U.S. installation in Poland and is the Navy’s newest installation that will be home to AAMDS Poland once construction is completed. The Aegis Ashore site in Poland will expand a defensive capability that protects NATO European territories, populations and forces against ballistic missiles launched from outside the Euro-Atlantic region.
| Date Taken: | 12.17.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 12.23.2019 07:48 |
| Story ID: | 356914 |
| Location: | SLUPSK, PL |
| Web Views: | 1,747 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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