Carrier Strike Group 3 Changes Command

Photo By Seaman Nathaly Cruz | 250410-N-IJ966-1064 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 10, 2025) Rear Adm. Todd Whalen renders honors during the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3 change of command ceremony held aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Rear Adm. Adan Cruz was relieved by Whalen during the ceremony. Abraham Lincoln, flagship of CSG 3, is underway conducting routine training operations in the U.S. 3rd fleet area of operations. As an integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic and relevant training to ensure the readiness necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s timeless role across the full spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Nathaly Cruz)  

UNITED STATES

04.10.2025

Courtesy Story

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)   

PACIFIC OCEAN – Rear Adm. Adan Cruz was relieved by Rear Adm. Todd Whalen as commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3, during a change of command ceremony held aboard the Nimitz-class Aircraft Carrier and flagship of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), April 10.

Cruz served as commander of CSG 3 from May 2024 to April 2025. During his tenure, he led more than 7,000 Sailors and Marines across four major commands, 12 ships and nine embarked Air Wing squadrons consisting of over 70 aircraft. He successfully led ABECSG through deployment workups and a highly successful 2024 combat deployment to U.S. Fifth and U.S. Seventh Fleet area of operations.

“Deploying with the Sailors and Marines of Carrier Strike Group 3 has been the honor of a lifetime,” said Cruz. “Their professionalism and dedication to duty resulted in an incredibly successful combat deployment. Every Sailor and Marine in the strike group excelled under pressure and accomplished all missions called to do by our Nation. I will miss leading the most capable carrier strike group in the Navy, but I know they will continue to excel under Rear Adm. Whalen’s leadership.”

Under Cruz’s leadership, ABECSG deployed as the most capable strike group with new technologies including the Next-Generation jammer, one of the most advanced Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) as the certified integrated air and missile defense commander, and the most advanced air wing in the fleet.

Additional highlights of the deployment include the first combat strikes using the F-35C Lightning II platform, assigned to the Marine squadron VMFA 314 against Iranian-backed Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen, and two multi large deck exercises with the Italian navy’s Cavour Carrier Strike Group. Lastly, in November 2024, ABECSG was the first carrier strike group to visit Port Klang, Malaysia in over 12 years.

Lastly, Cruz oversaw the implementation of the first-of-kind Information Warfare Coordination Center on the USS Abraham Lincoln fusing all information related capabilities aboard the ship. Cruz, will report to U.S. Central Command as Director, Strategy, Plans and Policy (J5) for his next assignment.

Prior to taking command of CSG 3, Whalen served as the Navy’s 72nd President of the Board of Inspection and Survey.

“I am honored to relieve Rear Adm. Cruz. His steadfast leadership was critical to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group’s success during their 2024 combat deployment,” said Whalen. “The CSG 3 team, and I will continue to strive for excellence and will remain true to our motto, in mundo optimum, the best in the world.”

CSG 3’s subordinate commands include USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Frank E. Petersen III (DDG 121) as the integrated air and missile defense commander, and ships assigned to Destroyer Squadron 21 including Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS O’Kane (DDG 77), USS Mustin (DDG 89), USS Pinckney (DDG 91), USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Spruance (DDG 111), and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112).

CSG 3, the most technologically capable Carrier Strike Group, provides a combat-ready force to protect and defend the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its global allies and partners.

An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific in addition to providing realistic and relevant training across the full spectrum of military operations – from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works in close coordination with other numbered Fleets to provide commanders with capable, ready forces to deploy forward and win in day-to-day competition, in crisis, and in conflict.

For more information, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/COM-US3rdFleet

• Date Taken: 04.10.2025
• Date Posted: 04.10.2025 19:07
• Story ID: 495031
• Location: US