MC2 Amanda E. Cabasos, USS New York (LPD 21) Public Affairs Mayport Mirror
USS New York (LPD 21) held a change of command ceremony on the flight deck while underway in the Gulf of Aden, May 1.
Capt. Christopher W. Brunett, from Buffalo, New York, turned over command of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship to Capt. Kenneth M. Coleman, a Binghamton, New York, native.
Capt. Christopher Brunett, from Buffalo, N.Y., and former commanding officer of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), salutes rainbow side boys in preparation for departure after a change of command ceremony held aboard the ship. Capt. Kenneth M. Coleman took command of USS New York during the May 1 ceremony. Photo by MC3 Class Jonathan B. Trejo
The ceremony marked the end of a very successful 18-month command tour for Brunett. He led the crew through a homeport change from Norfolk to Mayport, Florida; inspection and survey preparations; a visit to New York City during Fleet Week; Research, development, testing and evaluation operations; small tactical unmanned aircraft system testing; a surge deployment; an intense and compressed six-week maintenance availability; ammo on load; missile exercise, pre-deployment workups and deployment.
Burnett will report to Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk and serve as the forces operation manager.
During the ceremony, Brunett shared his thoughts to the crew.
“It is nearly impossible to put into words what it has meant to be your captain and command this noble ship,” he said. “She is unlike any other and her link to the past is truly beyond compare. From the steel in the stem of her bow, to the stirring tributes to first responders, she is hallowed ground; a constant reminder of those who gave their lives on September 11, 2001 and those who have done so every day since. She is a shining symbol of freedom and liberty, as well as American resilience and strength.”
“I want to thank you all for your incredible support, hard work and dedication,” he added. “You are, without a doubt, the finest crew a captain could ask for. No matter how high I set the bar, you always rose to the occasion and exceeded expectations. I consider myself extremely fortunate and honored to call you ‘shipmate.’”
Coleman completed sea tours aboard USS Clifton Sprague (FFG 16) as main propulsion assistant and electronics material officer, USS Monterey (CG 61) as Navigator, USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) as chief engineer, and USS Princeton (CG 59) as executive officer. He also served as chief staff officer for Amphibious Squadron Seven completing a Humanitarian Assistance deployment aboard USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and as Operations Officer (N3) for Carrier Strike Group One deploying to the Western Pacific/Arabian Gulf aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).
“It is a tremendous honor to command the New York and lead this amazing crew,” said Coleman. “I could not be more proud of all they have achieved and I am humbled by their dedication to our great nation. We will continue to provide a positive presence in this turbulent world and I look forward to whatever missions and adventures await us.”
Following the event, the crew enjoyed a reception and cake-cutting ceremony.
Later that afternoon, the New York crew gave their last farewells to Brunett as he departed the ship on an MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
USS New York is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and, with the embarked 24th MEU, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
