Photo By Lt. Anthony Junco | Mayport Fla. (March 24, 2023) -- Capt. Mark Haney (left), Capt. David Miller (center),...... read more read more
MAYPORT, Fla. (March 23, 2023) – Capt. Michael R. Johnson relieved Capt. Mark W. Haney as commodore of Surface Division 21, March 23, 2023, in a change of command ceremony held at Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2’s new facility on Naval Station Mayport.
Capt. David E. Miller, commodore of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2, served as the guest speaker at the ceremony and Cmdr. Scott W. Lanum, chief staff officer of Surface Division 21, officiated the event.
Miller addressed participants, family, and friends at the change of command ceremony and showed his greatest appreciation of Haney’s accomplishments.
“Mark was the perfect person for the Surface Division 21 commodore job,” said Miller. “He surpassed all expectations and pushed the LCS enterprise to several sustainment and operational milestones. It is privilege to recognize his great accomplishments at his change of command."
Capt. Mark W. Haney, from Fluvanna County, Virginia, will remain in Mayport, Florida where he will serve as commodore of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2. Haney started his LCS career aboard Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), followed by his command of USS Milwaukee (LCS 5).
Haney received the Legion of Merit award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as commander of Surface Division 21 from March 2022 to March 2023, presented by Miller. The award specifically recognized Haney’s skillful facilitation of four successful LCS deployments.
“Serving as commodore of Surface Division 21 has been the highlight of my naval career. I will miss the great team we have built here and look forward to their continued success and the success of the four ships of the Division – I am just honored that I can say I was a part of it”, said Haney.
Capt. Johnson, a native of Summerville, South Carolina, reported to Surface Division 21 following an assignment as deputy commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2.
“I am honored to serve as the next commodore of Surface Division 21,” said Johnson. “I can think of no greater calling than to command such an outstanding group of America’s finest and continuing the many successes that commodore Haney and his staff have accomplished.”
“Mike has done incredible work during his time at Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 2 including serving as my Deputy Commander. Surface Division 21 couldn’t could be in better hands.”
Surface Division 21 oversees the training, material readiness, and deployment of four LCS Freedom-variant’s; USS Milwaukee, USS Detroit (LCS 7), USS Little Rock (LCS 9), and USS Sioux City (LCS 11). Surface Division 21 ships have completed numerous deployments to the U.S. Fourth Fleet area of responsibility in support of counter-illicit drug trafficking operations, Sioux City completed the first ever LCS deployment to U.S. Fifth Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet. Surface Division 21 continues to lead the way in LCS operability and mission success, in keeping with their motto, “Freedom of the Seas.”
| Date Taken: | 03.23.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.24.2023 11:48 |
| Story ID: | 441127 |
| Location: | MAYPORT, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 496 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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Littoral combat ship (LCS)
