An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News from around the Fleet

USS America Holds Change of Command in Australia

15 July 2023

From Story by Lt. Beau Nickerson, USS America Public Affairs

BRISBANE, Australia – Captain Manny Pardo relieved Capt. Shockey Snyder as commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier, USS America (LHA 6), in a ceremony aboard the ship, while moored in Brisbane, Australia, July 14.
Capt. Manuel Pardo, left, eighth commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), assumes command from Capt. Shockey Snyder at a change of command on the ship’s flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Brisbane, Australia, July 14, 2023. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Capt. Manuel Pardo, left, eighth commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), assumes command from Capt. Shockey Snyder at a change of command on the ship’s flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Brisbane, Australia, July 14, 2023. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Capt. Manuel Pardo, left, eighth commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), assumes command from Capt. Shockey Snyder at a change of command on the ship’s flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Brisbane, Australia, July 14, 2023. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
USS America Holds Change of Command
Capt. Manuel Pardo, left, eighth commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), assumes command from Capt. Shockey Snyder at a change of command on the ship’s flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Brisbane, Australia, July 14, 2023. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Photo By: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian
VIRIN: 230714-N-FI026-1223


The ceremony, held on the ship’s flight deck, featured Capt. Kelly Fletcher, commodore, Amphibious Squadron 11, presiding.

“This tour has been the highlight of my career, and it’s thanks to the crew,” said Snyder. You did the hard work to make this ship so successful. I am extremely grateful, and know you’re in great hands with Capt. Pardo.”

Capt. Shockey Snyder, commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), reads his orders at a change of command ceremony on the ship’s flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Brisbane, Australia, July 14, 2023. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Capt. Shockey Snyder, commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), reads his orders at a change of command ceremony on the ship’s flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Brisbane, Australia, July 14, 2023. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Capt. Shockey Snyder, commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), reads his orders at a change of command ceremony on the ship’s flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Brisbane, Australia, July 14, 2023. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
USS America Holds Change of Command
Capt. Shockey Snyder, commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6), reads his orders at a change of command ceremony on the ship’s flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Brisbane, Australia, July 14, 2023. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Photo By: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Cavenaile
VIRIN: 230714-N-IO312-1059


Snyder’s tour included major operations for America and embarked units during the ship’s 23.1 and 23.2 patrol including; Exercise Iron Fist, Amphibious Integrated Training/Certification Exercise (AIT/CERTEX), inaugural port visits to Osaka, Japan and Manila, as well as numerous unit level exercises and certifications.

Pardo served as the ship’s executive officer since April 2022 prior to assuming command.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be here today. If you told a younger me that I would be taking command of a warship; I am not sure I would believe you, said Pardo. “Thank you to the crew who continue to put in the work every day, and to Capt. Snyder, thank you for your mentorship. The ship’s success is a reflection of your leadership, and congratulations on a successful tour. ”

Pardo, America’s eighth commanding officer graduated from the United States Naval Academy and received his commission in 2000. A naval aviator, flying the SH-60B and MH-60R helicopter, Pardo commanded Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46. Other sea duty tours include Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42, HSM-70, and HSM-74.

Capt. Kelly Fletcher, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, presiding officer for the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6) change of command ceremony, departs the change of command on the ship’s flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Brisbane, Australia, July 14, 2023. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
BRISBANE, Australia (July 14, 2023) Capt. Kelly Fletcher, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, presiding officer for the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6) change of command ceremony, departs the change of command on the ship’s flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Brisbane, Australia, July 14, 2023. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian)
Capt. Kelly Fletcher, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, presiding officer for the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6) change of command ceremony, departs the change of command on the ship’s flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Brisbane, Australia, July 14, 2023. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
USS America Holds Change of Command
BRISBANE, Australia (July 14, 2023) Capt. Kelly Fletcher, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, presiding officer for the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA 6) change of command ceremony, departs the change of command on the ship’s flight deck during a scheduled port visit to Brisbane, Australia, July 14, 2023. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian)
Photo By: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian
VIRIN: 230714-N-FI026-1277


Snyder’s follow on assignment will be serving as Commander, Naval Surface Group Western Pacific, in Yokosuka, Japan.

America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group is underway conducting routine integrated operations in U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with Allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
 

Google Translation Disclaimer

  • Google Translate, a third party service provided by Google, performs all translations directly and dynamically.
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil has no control over the features, functions, or performance of the Google Translate service.
  • The automated translations should not be considered exact and should be used only as an approximation of the original English language content.
  • This service is meant solely for the assistance of limited English-speaking users of the website.
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information translated.
  • Some items cannot be translated, including but not limited to image buttons, drop down menus, graphics, photos, or portable document formats (pdfs).
  • Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil does not directly endorse Google Translate or imply that it is the only language translation solution available to users.
  • All site visitors may choose to use similar tools for their translation needs. Any individuals or parties that use Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea, cnrk.cnic.navy.mil content in translated form, whether by Google Translate or by any other translation services, do so at their own risk.
  • IE users: Please note that Google Translate may not render correctly when using Internet Explorer. Users are advised to use MS Edge, Safari, Chrome, or Firefox browser to take full advantage of the Google Translate feature.
  • The official text of content on this site is the English version found on this website. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information contained in translated text, refer to the English version on this website, it is the official version.

Commander, U.S. Navy Region Korea   |   PSC 478 Box 1   |   FPO AP, 96212-0001
Official U.S. Navy Website