USS Shiloh holds change of command

YOKOSUKA, Japan -- Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) held a change of command ceremony at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Pier 6, Oct. 18.

Capt. Adam G. Cheatham relieved Capt. Sharif H. Calfee as the commanding officer aboard Shiloh. Calfee assumed command of Shiloh in December 2019 and will return to Virginia to serve on staff at the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

Cheatham served onboard USS Nassau (LHA 4) and USS Normandy (CG 60). Subsequently, Capt. Cheatham served onboard USS Gary (FFG 51) and USS Independence (LCS 2) where he served as the Blue Crew Operations Officer and is a plank owner. His last sea assignment was USS Stout (DDG 55), first as the Executive Officer and then as the Commanding Officer where he conducted a Ballistic Missile Defense deployment to Commander U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation as part of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Strike Group.

“This ship has an impressive crew and an outstanding history of recent operations, always delivering success,” said Cheatham. “I’m thrilled to serve alongside these Sailors. Captain Calfee has given me absolute confidence that he is turning over a crew of the highest caliber.”

During his closing remarks, Calfee praised the crew of Shiloh.

“It’s been a true honor and privilege to be able to lead and to work alongside the fantastic “Hornets” of the Shiloh and to see them succeed in any mission assigned. Seeing our sailors grow both personally and professionally has been the greatest joy of command.”

Rear Adm. Will Pennington, Commander, Task Force 70, addressed the crew while underway. “Thank you Capt. Calfee for your fantastic work here as the commanding officer,” said Pennington. “Command is an awesome job and the few times I’ve been lucky enough to have it- what has sustained me is not so much the mission, although satisfying, but always the crew and the people that you work with, and I know Capt. Calfee would say the same thing.”

He continued his praise of the Shiloh crew.

“I congratulate you for your role in making his tour successful,” said Pennington. “It’s all a team- everybody from the CO to the most newly reported and thanks to all. It’s been a very great pleasure to work with you. Hornets’ Nest- keep stinging.”

In 2021, from May to October, Shiloh escorted the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during a deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet and 5th Fleet that included missions in support of the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. Shiloh operated in the South China Sea, East China Sea and Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Arabian Gulf, conducting various multinational exercises strengthening relationships and ensuring maritime stability and security in the region.

Shiloh is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Shiloh is assigned to Commander, Task Force 70, a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of its allies and partners in the region.