ROTA, Spain –
Guided missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Rota, Dec. 19, 2024.
Cmdr. Tyrchra Bowman was relieved by Cmdr. Ethan Reber as the commanding officer of USS Arleigh Burke, in a ceremony attended by distinguished visitors, guests, and crew.
"My time with Arleigh Burke has been characterized by resilience, tenacity, and warfighting excellence," reflected Cmdr. Bowman. "I feel intense gratitude for my time commanding this trailblazing ship and its crew."
Cmdr. Bowman assumed command of Arleigh Burke in August 2023 and successfully led the destroyer through its fourth and fifth forward deployed patrols. Highlights from his time onboard include integrations with three Carrier Strike Groups and an Amphibious Readiness Group, operational missions in defense of Israel and humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza, and firing the first ever Standard Missile 3 in combat. During his 17 months in command, Arleigh Burke was underway for 12 months.
"Over the last year and a half as captain, I have seen this crew and this ship push past their limits,” said Cmdr. Bowman. “As they make this 33-year-old ship sing and conduct real-world operations, these Sailors carry on the legacy of the generations of shipmates who have come before us,"
This will be Cmdr. Reber's fourth tour of duty on USS Arleigh Burke, assuming command after serving 16 months as executive officer. Reber previously served as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer on Arleigh Burke from 2014 to 2017.
"I am thrilled to continue serving with the winning warfighting team of USS Arleigh Burke," commented Cmdr. Reber. "I look forward to the great work we will do to continue building upon the proud legacy of America’s Lead Destroyer."
Reber is a native of Tampa, Florida. He enlisted in the Navy in 1997 as a Nuclear Machinist’s Mate and graduated from the University of Florida in 2005, commissioning through the Seaman to Admiral-21 program.
USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), homeported in Rota, Spain, is the first of 73 commissioned ships in its class, named after Admiral Arleigh Burke. It is currently undergoing a Selected Restricted Availability in preparation for its sixth forward deployed Patrol.
Commander, 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 to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.