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Message: Here's a great article I found at www.northwestnavigator.com: -- Cmdr. Matthew D. Ovios relieved Cmdr. Richard M. Odom as commanding officer of the guided-missile frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61) during a change of command ceremony March 20 while in port Limassol, Cyprus. Ovios, a native of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990 from Colby College in Waterville, Maine. He also earned a master’s from the United States Naval War College in 2003. He has served aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51), guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59), and guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73). Ovios also served at the United States Naval Academy, as an instructor in the Seamanship and Navigation Department, and on the staffs of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 26 and the Chief of Naval Operations, as the Surface, Strike and Tomahawk Section Head in the Surface Warfare Directorate (OPNAV N86). As Ingraham’s commanding officer, Ovios will lead more than 250 Sailors. “I am honored to take command of a ship with such a fine reputation. I especially appreciate the warm reception and hard work the crew put into making the transition seamless,” said Ovios. “The fact that we got underway less than an hour after the change of command is a testament to their professionalism.” Ingraham is part of Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) and is currently conducting operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Odom served as Ingraham commanding officer since taking charge Sept. 15, 2006. “The experience of being in command of a United States warship has been the most rewarding and most humbling experience in my life,” said Odom. “I enjoyed every second of every minute of every day aboard this ship, working for, and with, the most talented and motivated crew any commanding officer could ask for.” Before Cmdr. Odom left for his new tour with the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations as the Surface, Strike and Tomahawk Section Head in the Surface Warfare Directorate (OPNAV N86), he reflected on his time on the ship. “There is no tour in my Navy career that will compare to this one. This was it; this was the pinnacle,” he said. http://www.northwestnavigator.com/index.php/navigator/regionalnews/command_of_uss_ingraham_changes/