Capt. John F. Meier, Susan Ford Bales and Capt. Richard McCormack. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Fairchild/Released)
Ship Sponsor Susan Ford Bales participated in a Change of Command ceremony as Captain John Meier was replaced by Captain Richard McCormack as Commanding Officer of the USS Gerald R. Ford CVN 78. The ceremony took place in conjunction with the Gerald R. Ford statue unveiling event at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, VA.
Susan Ford Bales emotionally thanked Captain John Meier for his dedication to the construction of the USS Gerald, for honorably serving as its first Commanding Officer and for leading the efforts in bringing together CVN 78’s first crew.
During her remarks about the Change of Command, Susan Ford Bales statement that “now I have to say goodbye to Captain Meier. I knew this day would come. I knew that we would have to transfer command. I have really struggled to describe how much Captain Meier has meant to me.”
Throughout his time as Commanding Officer, Captain Meier personally met with each crew member. Though he will never command CVN 78 at sea, he believes that he will “always be part of this ship and this crew.”
Captain Meier’s replacement is Captain Richard McCormack. Captain McCormack attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island and graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1990. He was designated a Navy Test Pilot, he has accumulated over 2,800 hours in 18 different aircraft and has logged more than 750 arrested landings while participating in six operational deployments.
He was previously an Executive Officer aboard the USS George H.W. Bush.
To read U.S. Navy’s bio for Captain Ricahrd C. McCormack please visit http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/lcc19/Pages/Bio1_28Nov2013-15Jan2015.aspx#.VwnYGD8-LYE
To read more about the Change of Commander, please read the Daily Press Article at http://www.dailypress.com/news/military/dp-nws-ford-carrier-command-change-20160408-story.html
