USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) holds change of command ceremony

ByLt.j.g OttoLange

USS Zumwalt

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO, Ca. USS

Zumwalt (DDG 1000) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Base San Diego on February 17th, 2023. The ceremony marked the transfer of command from CAPT Amy M. McInnis to CAPT Matthew H. Hall, who became the ship’s 6thCommandingOfficer.

CAPT McInnis assumed command of DDG 1000 in November 2021 following the completion of a two-year tour as the Executive Officer. During CAPT McInnis’ command USS Zumwalt completed Basic Phase, SWATT, Aviation Certification, Command Tactical Qualification, inauguralDDG1000ClassINSURVSpecialTrials, and inaugural DDG 1000-class operations inSEVENTHFleetwithportvisitstoGuam andJapan.CAPTSheaThompson,CommodoreofSurfaceDevelopmentSquadronOne (SURFDEVRON), stated “Amy exemplifies thekindoftenaciousleadershiprequiredto guideherteaminchallengingenvironments overcome first-in-class obstacles and ultimatelyachievehistoricsuccessinZumwalt’s maidenemployment.

Additionally,theshipconductedsoftware installation, system testing and integration, radar cross section testing, live-fire missile test event and integrated operations While in THIRD Fleet, the ship conducted port visits in Seal Beach and Hawaii. With her ZUMWALT chapter now closed, CAPT McInnislooksforwardtoservinginNorthern Virginia for Chief of Navy Personnel, supporting manpower, personnel, training andeducationplansfortheNavy

“Ithasbeenadistincthonorandprivilege toservealongsidethiscrew Iwitnessedthe crew’s ability to overcome ever-evolving challenges, adapt to unique situations, and demonstrate their resiliency in the face of adversity.Iamhumbledbythetremendous professionalismandresilienceofeveryUSS Zumwalt sailor, and know the ship remains in good hands as it begins its next chapter,” saidCAPTAmyMcInnis CAPTMatthewH.HallisanativeofGlen Rock, New Jersey and has served as USS Zumwalt’s Executive Officer since October 2021. He earned his Bachelors in Economics from the US Naval Academy, as well as a Masters in Operations Research from the NavalPostgraduateSchool CAPTHallmost recently served as the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer of USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53). His previous operational tours include USS John A. Moore(FFG 19), USS Thorn (DD 988), USS Lassen (DDG 82),aswellasbeingforwarddeployedto5th

FleetwithDESRON50insupportofOperationsIraqiFreedomandEnduringFreedom. Commissioned in 2016, USS Zumwalt (DDG1000)isnamedinhonorofAdm.Elmo R.ZumwaltJr anativeofTulare,California and 1942 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. After serving as the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces in Vietnam, he was appointed as the 19th Chief of Naval Operations, the youngestadmiraltoholdtheposition.Adm. Zumwalt was known as a reformer whose Z-Gramsfundamentallychangedthefabric of the Navy Adm. Zumwalt is credit with creating military career opportunities for women and minorities establishing the Ombudsmanprogram,aswellasimproving the quality-of-life for Navy sailors Many of hisprogramsremainineffecttothisday.