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Capt. Tony Chavez speaks during a change of command ceremony on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), April 28, 2023 in the Philippines. The change of command ceremony is a time-honored naval tradition which formally proclaims the continuity and authority of command to the officers, men and women of the command. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of Makin Island and amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.