Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Vance Hand | Cmdr. Nellie Wang, the outgoing commanding officer of the Independence-variant...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO – Cmdr. Nellie Wang was relieved by Cmdr. Meghan Gray as Commanding Officer of the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) during a change of command ceremony held at Naval Base San Diego on Nov. 15, 2024. Capt. Douglas Meagher, commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1 (LCSRON 1), was the presiding officer and guest speaker at the ceremony.
Cmdr. Wang assumed command of Charleston in April 2023 after serving as the ship’s executive officer. She oversaw the combining of both Blue and Gold crews into a single crew on April 1. Charleston was the first crew to do so under the 2024's strategic lay down plan.
“I could not be more proud of the opportunity to serve as the commanding officer of USS Charleston,” said Wang. “The past three years as XO and CO of Charleston have been some of the most rewarding of my life. The tour has been successful, and it’s because of the crew’s dedication to each other and to the ship.”
In July of 2023, Charleston entered the shipyard at British Aerospace (BAE), San Diego for a rigorous Docking Ship Repair Availability after a two-year long deployment to U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet Areas of Operation. During this repair availability, Charleston underwent many upgrades such as a full overhaul of the propulsion systems, new Integrated Combat Management Systems, and Total Ship’s Computing Environment systems. After this availability, the ship got underway from BAE Systems to the SOCAL Operating Area on Oct. 21. After a three-day underway, Charleston returned to Naval Base San Diego.
“To the Sailors on Charleston, I can never tell you all how much I appreciate the work you all accomplished, not for me; you did it for your country,” said Wang. “You have proven time and time again that Charleston knocks things out of the park! It made me proud of you every day.”
Charleston participated in various exercises while under the operational control of Destroyer Squadron SEVEN and Mine Countermeasure Squadron SEVEN including Cooperation Afloat Readiness Training Brunei, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Timor Leste, Exercise Kakadu 2022, integrated Exercise Noble Vanguard 22 which was the first use of an LCS in the mine-countermeasure role outside U.S. waters, Operation Loaded Stingray, Operation La Perouse and Super Garuda Shield.
Charleston also completed joint and combined missions in support of forward presence and maritime law operations. The U.S. Coast Guard’s Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Detachment 104 teamed with Charleston and HSC 21 to protect United States and pacific island nation resource security and sovereignty during an Oceania Maritime Security Initiative mission. The ship also conducted combined integrated naval operations with countries to include Australia, Japan, France, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. During its 26-month deployment it conducted several patrols in the East and South China Seas, the Philippines Sea, and Central Pacific, which provided a forward presence to deter aggression and maintain an open and free Indo-Pacific region.
During the ceremony, Wang was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for her superior accomplishments and will be reporting to the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8) as the commanding officer for her next tour of duty.
“Nellie, you have led with grace and precision through a myriad of challenges and you should be immensely proud of the course you have set for Charleston,” said Meagher. “I am confident you will bring this same leadership style to the USS Montgomery, and I am very pleased to have your experience and knowledge stay within the LCS enterprise.”
Wang is a native of San Francisco, Calif. and was raised in Seoul, South Korea, graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. She was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program in June 2006.
Charleston is homeported in San Diego as a part of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1. Littoral combat ships are fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century threats. LCS integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.
For more news from Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/comlcsron1/ or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/COMLCSRONONE/.
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| Date Taken: | 11.15.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.02.2024 14:20 |
| Story ID: | 485569 |
| Location: | NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 83 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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