USS Montgomery (LCS 8) Conducts At-Sea Change of Command

by Courtesy Story

14 October 2022
PACIFIC OCEAN — Cmdr. Edison Rush III relieved Capt. Dustin Lonero as the commanding officer of Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8) during a change of command ceremony at sea, Oct. 14.

While under Lonero’s command, Montgomery served as a training platform for six crews, increasing the lethality of Surface Division 11’s waterfront through specialty training at sea and crew readiness.

“I could not be more proud of what the Montgomery crew has accomplished this year and what they will accomplish moving forward under the leadership of Cmdr. Rush,” said Lonero. “Our team’s agility, adaptability and ambition will continue to lead our ship forward towards success. Fair winds and following seas.”

Lonero led the return of the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter to the LCS fleet, demonstrating increased lethality through manned-unmanned multi-domain integration. Also under his leadership, Montgomery was the first ship to launch an AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire surface-to-land missile, expanding proven LCS firing capability in near-shore environments.

A native of San Jose, Calif., Lonero joined the LCS program in 2016 as the executive officer of USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10). He has held command of USS Coronado (LCS 4), USS Montgomery (LCS 8), and USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10). He will spearhead the advanced ship handling skills of LCS Sailors in his next assignment as the commanding officer of the Littoral Combat Ship Training Facility.

Rush, a native of southern New Jersey, previously served as the commanding officer of USS Manchester (LCS 14) Blue crew.

“I am extremely honored to be taking the helm of this great ship and crew,” said Rush. “As Division 11’s Training Ship, we will continue to develop the lethality of LCS and these crews, living Montgomery’s motto – we dare defend our rights.”

Montgomery, homeported in San Diego, Calif., is a part of Surface Division 11 under Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One. LCS are fast, agile, mission-focused platforms designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS are capable of supporting 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/.