Task Force 70, Carrier Strike Group 5 Holds Change Of Command

by Petty Officer 1st Class Ezekiel Duran

11 August 2026
YOKOSUKA, JAPAN

Rear Adm. Eric Anduze turned over command of Carrier Strike Group Five (CSG 5) and Task Force 70 to Rear Adm. Jeffrey Heames on Aug 12.

Rear Adm. Heames arrived aboard USS George Washington following its port visit to Da Nang, Vietnam. Rear Adm. Anduze said farewell to the crew of the USS George Washington before air transferring to Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) and going ashore.

“It has been an honor to serve alongside the men and women of Carrier Strike Group Five,” said Anduze, a career fighter pilot and native of Manatí, Puerto Rico. “This team shoulders a significant daily responsibility in this consequential theater. Alongside our close allies and partners, we represent an agile, lethal, and ready force in the Indo-Pacific. I look forward to seeing this talented team continue under the tremendous leadership of Admiral Heames, an experienced surface warfare officer and great tactician.”

Task Force 70 commands the majority of forward-deployed air and surface maneuver and striking forces in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. It oversees Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, as well as the ships assigned to CSG 5, including USS George Washington, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86).

Anduze assumed command of Task Force 70 and CSG 5, forward-deployed in Yokosuka, Japan, in June 2025. He led CSG 5 through large-scale multinational exercises and missions including Multi-Large Deck Event 2025 with allied navies, recertifying Carrier Strike Group Five with Valiant Shield 2026, hosting the President of the United States and Prime Minister of Japan in Yokosuka, Japan, with port visits to the Philippines, Guam, South Korea, and Vietnam.

“I am honored by the opportunity to serve with the exceptional Sailors in Task Force 70,” said Heames. “Admiral Anduze leaves us a team that is sharp, lethal, and ready to do our nation’s work whenever and wherever called. We will continue that legacy.”

Heames is a native of Sierra Vista, Arizona and most recently served as the assistant commander to Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee. He previously commanded Surface Development Group 1, Destroyer Squadron 23, and USS Preble (DDG-88).

Task Force 70 and CSG 5 are forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. U.S. 7th Fleet is the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely operates with allies and partners throughout the region.