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 Somerset Change of Command

14 July 2023

From Petty Officer 2nd Class Evan Diaz

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.
USS Somerset Change of Command
230714-N-JS660-1250 SAN DIEGO (July 14, 2023) Capt. Michel Brandt, left, prospective commanding officer of USS Somerset (LPD 25), and Capt. Christopher Brown, right, outgoing commanding officer, USS Somerset (LPD 25), exchange salutes during a change of command ceremony. Somerset is assigned to Amphibious Squadron 5 and is homeported at Naval Base San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Evan Diaz)
USS Somerset Change of Command
USS Somerset Change of Command
230714-N-JS660-1250 SAN DIEGO (July 14, 2023) Capt. Michel Brandt, left, prospective commanding officer of USS Somerset (LPD 25), and Capt. Christopher Brown, right, outgoing commanding officer, USS Somerset (LPD 25), exchange salutes during a change of command ceremony. Somerset is assigned to Amphibious Squadron 5 and is homeported at Naval Base San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Evan Diaz)
Photo By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Evan Diaz
VIRIN: 230714-N-JS660-1250
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.

 
 

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