Change of Command for USS Ronald Reagan (Video)

By Beth Ford Roth, KPBS

Navy Captain Christopher Bolt became Commanding Officer of the San Diego-based USS Ronald Reagan on Tuesday afternoon, replacing Captain Thom Burke, who served as CO for more than three years.

Burke assumed command of the USS Reagan in July 2010, according to a Navy news release:

While on deployment in 2011, he successfully led the ship and her crew as they performed humanitarian relief efforts following a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan.

Those efforts were known as Operation Tomodachi. As Home Post reported in 2011, the crew of the Reagan helped provide food, water, medicine, and clothing to those devastated by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

According to the Navy, Burke will report to Commander, Naval Air Forces to find out his next assignment. At Tuesday's change of command ceremony, Burke thanked his crew for their service:

“What this ship and crew have been able to achieve over the last three years has been amazing. I am humbled and blessed to have been a part of this team, and it’s been, hands down, the defining tour of my naval career. There are more challenges ahead for this ship, but I know of no more qualified officer than Chris Bolt to take the helm. He takes over a proud ship with a great reputation, and the future is bright.”