Capt. Michel Brandt relieved Capt. Christopher Brown as commanding officer of amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) during a pierside change of command ceremony aboard USS Somerset at Naval Base San Diego, July 14.
Rear Adm. James Kirk presided over the ceremony and gave remarks as the guest speaker.
“The Somerset and her crew, alongside her sister ships New York and Arlington, play an important role in helping America and the world remember and honor those heroes lost on September 11, 2001 and in particular those who died on Flight 93,” said Kirk.
As Somerset’s commanding officer, Capt. Christopher Brown guided the crew of Somerset out of a routine maintenance period in the yards, through integrated basic and advanced training cycles and sustained operations in the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operation.
Brown and Brandt each read their orders in keeping with naval heritage, and authority and responsibility of Somerset was transferred after a short exchange of salutes.
“Team Somerset, you crushed it,” said Brown. “This is the best LPD on the waterfront and it is my honor to have served you.”
Brandt addressed the crew for the first time, thanking Brown and looking forward to Somerset’s future.
“To the officers, Chiefs and crew of Somerset, thank you for making me feel welcome as the newest member of the team,” said Brandt. “My interactions with you this past week have left no doubt in my mind that our nation’s Navy is in the most capable hands.”
Hailing from Oak Grove, Kentucky, Capt. Michel C. Brandt graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1998 and was commissioned through the NROTC program. She commanded Littoral Combat Ship Crew 102, embarked on USS Freedom (LCS 1) and USS Fort Worth (LCS 3). She served as reactor officer aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Ashore, Capt. Brandt has served on the staff of U.S. 2nd Fleet as flag aide, on the staff of the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization as an action officer in the director’s staff group and as the special assistant for Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carriers for the director of Naval Reactors. She completed the Command and Staff College course at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia.
Like sister ships USS New York (LPD 21) and USS Arlington (LPD 24), Somerset was named to honor those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks which occurred on Sept. 11, 2001. Since the ship’s commissioning in 2014, the crew of the Somerset has maintained an enduring bond with Somerset County and the families of Flight 93.
“To the men and women of Somerset, these accolades are well earned as you accomplished all of them and more,” said Kirk. “The ability you have shown as a Navy and Marine Corps team to fight through and accomplish the mission is impeccable, and I know Capt. Brown is proud of each and every one of you for your resilience and continued commitment to excellence.”
Somerset is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship homeported in San Diego. It is the second warship to bear the name and is specifically named for Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and the heroes of Flight 93.