Kearsarge Strike Group Gets New Commander in Middle of Disaster Relief Mission

According to the U.S. Navy, Captain Robert W. Bougher is no longer commander of the Kearsarge Strike Group/Amphibious Squadron 8. The new commander is Captain Fernandez L. Ponds. A ceremony was done to mark the occasion.

The Kearsarge is, at the moment, located off the coast of Bangladesh helping out in the area where Cyclone Sidr came ashore. The disaster assistance that the crew is currently aiding in is part of what they train for even though their current mission is Maritime Security Operations.

Captain Bougher has been in command of the Strike Groups since December of 2005, and while he was leading the way, they 'Panamax 2006'. Within 'Panamax' Bougher was in charge of group consisting of 19 different nations.

Other commands to his credit are the USS Fort McHenry and more recently the seven ship strike group of the Kearsarge. He has been involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and fighting against piracy in the 5^th Fleet.

Rear Admiral Carol M. Pottenger mentioned during the ceremony that Bougher has a perfect change of command, during a mission.

Captain Ponds, before taking over the command, was a senior naval advisor in the Bureau of Political Military Affairs.

The USS Kearsarge itself is, as mentioned, currently helping out in Bangladesh where Cyclone Sidr made landfall and killed thousands of people. It destroyed hundreds of thousands of houses and left many homeless. The 22^nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable brought more fresh water to the area and included with that was thousands of pounds of medical supplies.

The 22 Marine Expeditionary Unit is working in part with the Kearsarge Strike Group and they are coordinating with the Bangladeshi government to organize relief efforts and send supplies where they are needed most.

The water that was just delivered to the country was created on board the Kearsarge, which is a ship with the ability to produce fresh water as needed. And if needed it can come up with 200,000 gallons a day. The water is delivered in five gallon bags grouped on pallets for easy transport.