USS Jackson (LCS 6) Conducts Change of Command

by Petty Officer 1st Class Vance Hand

19 July 2024 SAN DIEGO -- Cmdr. Michael Winslow was relieved by Cmdr. Nick Van Wagoner as commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) during a change of command ceremony held at Naval Base San Diego, July 19. Capt. Douglas Meagher, commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron 1 (LCSRON 1), was the presiding officer of the ceremony.

“A time-honored tradition, change of command ceremonies celebrate the accomplishments of a commanding officer and his crew, and ceremonially transfer responsibility, accountability and authority to his relief,” said Meagher. “Nick, welcome home. For those that don’t know, Cmdr. Van Wagoner did his Executive Officer tour on USS Jackson…Continue to lead with the inspiration you have in the past, determine the appropriate level of risk to assume for the ship and crew, and ready her for sea, she will stay busy.”

Among many accomplishments, during Winslow’s time in command, Jackson transitioned from a dual-crew to a single crew construct and deployed in support of Pacific Partnership 2023 less than two months later.

“I have had the honor of watching Sailors grow and develop, promoting 88 Sailors, and watching others cross-rate, commission, lateral transfer, or be selected for command,” said Winslow. “To the crew, chief’s mess and wardroom – I think so highly of you all. Thank you for being resilient, persistent and always doing what it took to execute the mission.”

During the ceremony, Winslow was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his superior accomplishments, and will be reporting to LCSRON 1 for his next tour of duty.

“To my friends, shipmates, and colleagues who are in the audience today, thank you for your continued support and mentorship over the years,” said Van Wagoner. “I love this crew, I asked to come back and actually got my wish! You have an outstanding waterfront reputation, and I’m so proud to be back as your Captain.”

Winslow is native of Goldendale, WA, he enlisted in the Navy in 1994 and volunteered for service in the submarine community as a submarine electrician. As a 2005 graduate of the University of Arizona, he was commissioned through the Seaman to Admiral 21 program (nuclear option). He earned his Master of Science in Mathematics from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Jackson 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/.