SOCAL OPAREA, Calif. – Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Fifteen held a change of command ceremony onboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) while underway in the Southern California operating area, May 14.
Rear Adm. Kevin M. Kennedy, a native of Gloucester, New Jersey, relieved Rear Adm. William R. Daly of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, to become the 78th commander since CSG-15’s establishment in 1930. Vice Adm. Michael Boyle, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, presided over the ceremony which was held in Lincoln’s flag bridge while CSG-15 was embarked and underway.
During Daly’s 12-months in command, CSG-15 significantly improved training and readiness output to ensure a maximum number of naval forces are ready to prevail in the high-end fight. This was a period of peak demand on CSG-15, resulting in the staff training, mentoring, and assessing three CSGs, one Amphibious Ready Group, both the Expeditionary Strike Group Three (ESG 3) and Expeditionary Strike Group Seven (ESG 7) staffs, and one Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Independent Deployment Exercise. This included 143 at-sea days for the command and required creativity across Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) training avenues. Additionally, CSG-15 advanced numerous tactical efforts, all with timely, Navy-wide implications.
In his remarks, Daly recognized the hard work and dedication of the CSG-15 staff.
“It seems fitting that the change of command ceremony would be held while this team is underway and training for the high-end fight,” said Daly. “Over the last year I have watched the CSG-15 team operate at-sea and ashore to not only improve the tactical warfighters going forward but to grow as a staff and individuals. I am extremely proud of you all and am honored to have led this fantastic team and I know that you will continue to excel under the leadership of [Rear] Adm. Kennedy.”
Kennedy takes command of CSG-15 after serving as Assistant Commander for Career Management, PERS-4, Navy Personnel Command. A 1996 graduate of Villanova University, Kennedy has served in a variety of afloat and ashore billets as a surface warfare officer including commander of Destroyer Squadron 28 and commanding officer for Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107).
“Thank you Bill for turning over such a qualified and proficient team of warfighting professionals,” said Kennedy. “I am excited to carry on the legacy of CSG-15 and continue to advance the refined assessment and certification process that Bill spearheaded.”
Carrier Strike Group 15’s mission is to direct, execute, mentor, and assess at-sea live synthetic and academic integrated and advanced training of carrier strike group (CSG), expeditionary strike group (ESG), amphibious ready group (ARG), surface action group commanders, staffs, warfare commanders, coordinators, surface independent deployers, allies, and other designated groups, enabling them to operate in integrated, joint, and coalition environments in the conduct of combatant and operational commander tasking.