Capt. Joseph Olson, former USS America executive officer, has succeeded Capt. Michael Baze as the the amphibious assault ship’s commanding officer during a change of command ceremony held Friday at Naval Base San Diego.
The U.S. Navy said Monday among the guests for the ceremony were Lynne Pace, the ship’s sponsor, and Rear Adm. Daniel Fillion, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3.
Olson started his military career in 1992 and has since served as chief engineer on board USS Dextrous, USS Warrior and USS Frederick, executive officer on board USS Cleveland, action officer for the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation at the Office of the Secretary of Defense and lead analyst for ship and submarine programs of the Office of the Secretary of Defense programming division.
He was also chief of staff at the Office of the Secretary of Defense before to his assignment as USS America’s executive officer.
