SAN DIEGO — Capt. James Harney relieved Capt. Brian Quin as commander of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5 during a change of command ceremony held aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), June 2.
Rear Adm. James Kirk, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3, presided over the ceremony and presented Quin with a Legion of Merit for his accomplishments. The ceremony also recognized Quin as he retires from the U.S. Navy following 32 years of faithful naval service.
Quin assumed command of PHIBRON 5 on March 3, 2023, after serving as the ESG 3 Chief of Staff from May 2020 to February 2023. In these leadership roles, Quin was responsible for 18,000 Sailors and Marines, 29 warships, eight naval support elements, six squadrons and two littoral divisions. He facilitated amphibious operations across the Pacific and directed a training cycle that qualified ESG 3 as a deployable expeditionary headquarters or the first time in over five years.
Rear Adm. Wayne “Mouse” Baze, commander, Navy Personnel Command and Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel, served as the event’s guest speaker and emphasized the importance of the PHIBRON 5 mission.
“Ultimately, we are all about preserving the peace while remaining ready at all times to fight and win our nation’s wars. That is what our citizens expect of us, and we will not fail them,” said Baze. “I can think of no more capable force to accomplish this than the United States Navy and Marine Corps team under the leadership of Amphibious Squadron 5.”
Baze also recognized both Quin and his family for their service and sacrifice throughout a more than three-decade career, which included five tours in command.
Quin thanked his family and PHIBRON 5 team for their continued support and expressed his gratitude at the opportunity to serve.
“Everyone here raised their own right hand and volunteered to serve, or supports someone who did. We do this because we believe that our American way of life is worth preserving and defending, not just for this generation but for generations yet to come,” said Quin. “And so, from me, and on behalf of my daughter and sons, and their future daughters and sons: Thank you. Thank you for coming out today, thank you for your patriotic support of our civic life, and thank you for the honor and privilege you’ve afforded me in being a naval officer.”
In his remarks, Harney congratulated Quin on his successful career and addressed the crew for the first time as commander.
“For the Wardroom, Chief’s Mess, and Sailors of PHIBRON 5, I have been impressed by your dedication to mission, positive attitudes, and work ethic during the fleet training events I have participated in with you to date,” said Harney. “There will no doubt be challenges that we don’t even fathom today that will arise, but I am fully confident that you are up to any task or problem that presents itself.”
Harney received a commission in 1996 from the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. He earned a Master of Science in Computer Science (Modeling and Simulation Focus) from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and completed his Joint Service Education from the Armed Forces Staff College. His at sea assignments include Operations Officer aboard USS Chosin (CG 65) and USS McFaul (DDG 74), Combat Information Officer aboard USS Peterson (DD 969), Commissioning Damage Control Assistant aboard USS Ross (DDG 71), Executive Officer aboard USS Russell (DDG 59) and Chief of Staff, Carrier Strike Group 11. Harney has also held command of USS Port Royal (CG 73), Afloat Training Group (Mayport) and USS Russell (DDG 59). Ashore, he served as Surface Warfare Officer, Department Head Detailer, Bureau of Naval Personnel (PERS-41), Maritime Operations Planner in the Standing Joint Force Headquarters, and Joint Operations Center Team Chief in the Operations Directorate (J3) of U.S. Africa Command.
PHIBRON 5 was established in September 1954 and has been based in San Diego since its inception. The command’s mission is to prepare for and direct expeditionary warfare missions in support of national objectives by employing the combat power of amphibious ships and the Marine Corps in the maritime, littoral and inland environments.
For more news from PHIBRON 5, visit
https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/cpr5/ or visit
https://www.facebook.com/PHIBRON5.