Look Back: Navy Brass Visits the USS Ronald Reagan

When the Navy marked a change of command for the Third Fleet this week, the curtain also fell on the 35-year career of Vice Adm. Gerald R. Beaman.

Beaman gave way to Vice Adm. Kenneth E. Floyd in Coronado aboard the USS Ronald Reagan at Naval Air Station North Island. 

Beaman took over the Third Fleet in April 2011, and certified 5 carrier strike groups, 3 amphibious readiness groups and 109 independent deployers that  conducted operations and humanitarian missions during deployments to the 4th, 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility. 

"They are the finest group of leaders and warriors that I have served with,"  Beaman said. "... I continue to be humbled by the professionalism in which they command Third Fleet Sailors." 

Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander, Pacific Fleet, officiated the June 3 ceremony and presented Beaman with the Distinguished Service Medal recognizing him for his exceptional meritorious service to the government of the United States.

"He has ensured our forces are ready to meet the demand of this uncertain world we live in," Haney said.

Floyd, whose most recent assignment was as Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Systems, has taken over the Third Fleet. 

"We are here to hold out the hand of friendship and cooperation to our international partners, friends and allies as we build partnerships at sea,"  said Floyd, who has served as the executive officer of the USS Constellation and deputy commander of Carrier Air Wing 7. 

The Third Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the international date line.

– Navy.mil contributed to this report.