Cmdr. Samuel A. Moffett was relieved by Cmdr. Blake M. Wanier as commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa Gold crew during a change-of-command ceremony held at Naval Base San Diego on Aug. 22.
During Moffett’s time in command of the Tulsa Gold crew, he led the Tulsa through a 13-month ship repair availability in Portland, Oregon, and embarked with his crew on USS Jackson, USS Mobile, and USS Kansas City.
During the ceremony, Roman awarded Moffett the Meritorious Service Medal for his superior accomplishments.
“The ship is always important, but it is the sailors that really matter,” said Moffett. “Take care of the crew and the mission will follow. That principle guided every decision I made while in command.”
The Tulsa is homeported in San Diego as a part of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One. Littoral combat ships are fast, optimally manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments.
