Terence Mcknight News

Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2 held a change of command ceremony aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) April 5. Rear Adm. Michelle Howard relieved Rear Adm. Terence McKnight, ESG 2's commander since November 2007. In addition to relieving McKnight as the ESG 2 commander, Howard assumed command of several U.S. 5th Fleet task forces, including Combined Task Force (CTF) 51 and 59, as well as CTF 151, an international maritime coalition created to disrupt, deter and thwart piracy. "I'm very fortunate to follow behind Admiral McKnight," said Howard. "He and the staff have done a terrific job in standing up CTF 151. As commander of ESG 2, McKnight was responsible for all of the amphibious assets based on the U.S. East Coast and upon deploying to the U.S.

By Lt. The U.S. Navy commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Great White Fleet in Oct. 7 at Grand Central Terminal with the opening of an exhibit that will run through the 2008 Columbus Celebration ending Oct. 17. The exhibit - which includes eight-foot models of battleships, artifacts, memorabilia from Sailors aboard the ships and photo displays that tell the story of an American naval mission - highlights aid provided by ships of the Great White Fleet to in 1908 following a devastating earthquake.

GULF OF ADEN (NNS) -- Dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) is in the Gulf of Aden standing by to provide assistance to the crew of the Merchant Vessel Golden Nori. The Panamanian-flagged vessel is currently underway after pirates departed the vessel Dec. 12. Somalia-based pirates seized the Golden Nori Oct. 28 and held the 23-man crew hostage in Somali territorial waters. Coalition forces continued to monitor the situation, taking appropriate steps to prevent the pirates from resupplying the vessel.