New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media Release
Monday 27 April, 2009

TOP JOBS CHANGE IN A SPECIAL CEREMONY AT THE NAVAL BASE

A very special ceremony to mark the Change of Command of Chief of Navy and the Maritime Component Commander will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday 30 April at the Devonport Naval Base.

In a ceremony to be witnessed by the Minister of Defence, the Honourable Dr Wayne Mapp, invited guests, defence personnel, families, friends, an armed guard and platoons of Naval personnel from shore and the ships alongside, command will change in the following order:

With the words “You have the Fleet”, Commodore Tony Parr will relinquish command and in response, “I have the Fleet”, Captain (to be promoted to Commodore) Ross Smith will assume command as the Maritime Component Commander.

Retiring after a 42 year career in the Navy with the words “You have the Navy” Rear Admiral David Ledson (wearing a korowai cloak which is a symbol of command) will relinquish command of the Navy and in response “I have the Navy” Commodore (to be promoted to Rear Admiral) Tony Parr will take command.

The Change of Command Ceremony is traditionally formal and impressive – designed to strengthen the respect for authority, which is vital to any military organisation. The Navy Haka will be performed by naval personnel.

ENDS

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