NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain –
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) welcomed its fourteenth commanding officer, while saying goodbye to its thirteenth Dec. 7, 2018.
Cmdr. Craig M. Trent relieved Cmdr. John V. Tobin and assumed the duties and responsibilities as commanding officer during a change of command ceremony held at Naval Station Rota, Spain.
“I am honored to take command of Porter and her crew of champions,” said Trent. “There is no other place I’d rather be and nothing else that I’d rather be doing. I look forward to our many adventures and opportunities.”
Trent assumed command of the Porter after an 18-month tour in which he served as the ship’s executive officer.
During Tobin’s time as commanding officer, Porter successfully completed its fourth and fifth forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF) patrols in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, as well as two extensive maintenance availability periods on schedule. He will next report to the Chief of Naval Operations Arlington, Virginia, for duty.
“My appreciation for these young men and women that make up Team Porter has grown into a profound sense of admiration,” said Tobin. “I have never in 22 years served with a more diverse crew that clearly cared for each other, and were fully committed to making their ship the best ship on the waterfront.”
Porter, forward-deployed to Rota, conducts Naval operations the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of regional allies and partners, and U.S. national security interests in Europe.