USS Omaha (LCS 12) Gold Crew Conducts Change of Command

by Petty Officer 1st Class Vance Hand

03 April 2024

SAN DIEGO -- Cmdr. Ben Nehrke was relieved by Cmdr. Kevin Smith as commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Omaha (LCS 12) Gold crew during a ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, April 2nd. Capt. Douglas Meagher, commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 3, was the presiding officer and guest speaker at the ceremony.

During Nehrke’s time in command, Omaha completed an out-of-area dry dock availability in Seattle, WA and multiple maintenance availabilities in San Diego in order to complete repairs and upgrades on multiple systems throughout the ship. While Omaha was undergoing repairs, the crew began the Basic Phase, accomplishing multiple crew watch team and warfare certifications in the Littoral Training Facility and the crew’s first underway in nearly two years while embarked on the USS Cincinnati (LCS 20).

“Thank you for what you do for the nation, for Omaha, and for each other. Remember that each and every one of you matter, not just because of the work you do but for who you are. You each have unique talents, gifts, abilities, experiences, and perspectives that only you can bring to the team,” said Nehrke. “I can’t wait to read about all of the great things you will accomplish as a team. I’m proud to have served alongside you.”

Nehrke was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his superior accomplishments, and will report to Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet for his next tour of duty.

“I know that this crew, onboard this ship, USS Omaha, has worked to bring a ship back from deep maintenance and to prepare both the equipment and ourselves for the many challenges

ahead,” said Smith. “You know that the path isn’t always easy, but you also know the reward of doing it the right way and giving your best effort. I’m proud to serve with each of you and look forward to the many successes we will achieve in the future.”

A time-honored naval tradition, the ceremony allows the crew to formally acknowledge the passing of command from the current commanding officer to the next.

“A commanding officer is responsible for all that occurs onboard a ship. Much of that is governed by instruction, but there is an art in determining what is both urgent and important, and what can be addressed tomorrow,” said Meagher. “As mariners say, ‘time and tide wait for no one.’ Ben, you should be thoroughly proud of the course you have set for Omaha Gold, and for the grace you have carried through the myriad of challenges which emerged outside of your control…Kevin, today marks an important transition from the science of enforcing policy and procedure, to the art of commanding a ship and crew.”

Nehrke is from Arlington, Virginia and was commissioned in 2004 through the NROTC program. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Military Institute and master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University and the U.S. Naval War College.

Omaha is homeported in San Diego as a part of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1, littoral combat ships are fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century threats. LCS integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.

For more news from Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/comlcsron1/ or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/COMLCSRONONE/.