NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY NAPLES, Italy –
Commander, Task Force (CTF) 69 held a change of command ceremony on board Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, April 23, 2021.
Capt. John D. Craddock relieved Capt. Ted O’Harrah as commodore, CTF 69.
Vice Adm. Gene Black, commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, served as the guest speaker for the event and presented O’Harrah the Legion of Merit for his actions while serving as commodore, CTF 69.
“Skilled warfighters like Commodore Ted O’Harrah ensured that our diplomats negotiate from a position of strength as they work to preserve the peace,” said Black. “Thanks to his efforts, we stand postured and ready to conduct the full spectrum of operations across Europe and Africa.”
O’Harrah, during his remarks praised his team and spoke about some of the many accomplishments during his tour as commodore.
“It has been my highest honor to be the CTF 69 Commodore during what our past commander, Adm. James Foggo, referred to as the ‘Fourth Battle of the Atlantic,’” said O’Harrah. “All told 14 fast attack submarines and one Ohio-class guided cruise missile submarine deployed during my tour and together they achieved superb results. While their exploits will not receive the public recognition of their WWII predecessors – they proudly continued this legacy having executed 20 submarine national tasking missions and countless hours underway.”
After Craddock assumed command he thanked O’Harrah for his contributions to CTF 69 and spoke about his goals moving forward.
“Under his leadership the combined staff of Task Force 69 and Submarine Group 8 truly achieved some amazing things,” said Craddock. “I'm being completely honest when I say Ted is turning over a command operating at the highest levels.”
Commander, Task Force 69 is responsible for submarine warfare operations in the USEUCOM and USAFRICOM Areas of Responsibility. Specifically, Task Force 69 is composed of attack submarines and guided missile submarines capable of destroying enemy surface ships and submarines.
U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.