The San Diego-based Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group received a new commander today, as its former leader departed to take the helm of surfaces forces in the Atlantic, according to the Navy.
The new boss of Carrier Strike Group 1 is Rear Adm. James Loeblein, who had been the deputy commander of the Fifth Fleet in the Middle East. He succeeds Rear Adm. Christopher Grady.
Grady oversaw more than 12,300 aircraft sorties, including 2,382 combat missions that dropped more than a half-a-million pounds of ordnance in the fight against the self-proclaimed Islamic State during the group's last deployment, according to the Navy. He led CSG 1 for about a year and a half.
"It was an honor working with this group of devoted men and women," Grady said. "Their skill, dedication, and courage throughout our combat deployment allowed us to meet and exceed our operational objectives. The quality of personnel in this strike group is eye-watering, and I was humbled to lead them."
CSG 1 is led by the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, and also includes the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, vessels in Destroyer Squadron 1 and Carrier Air Wing 17.
