USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee holds change of command ceremony

Official Statements

• USS Higbee (DDG 123), November 9: “Naval Base San Diego (Nov. 6, 2026) - U.S. Navy Cmdr. Osei Asante relieved U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jack Skahen as commanding officer of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) during a change of command ceremony at the USS Midway Museum on Nov. 6, 2026.

  Skahen assumed command of Higbee on Jan. 10, 2025 at Naval Base San Diego. During his tour, Skahen led his crew as the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Commander for the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group through a nine-month deployment through the 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Operation. Under his leadership, Higbee was awarded the Carrier Strike Group Eleven Battle Effectiveness Award for demonstrating the highest level of professionalism, operational readiness, and combat effectiveness in 2025. Upon their return to San Diego, Skahen championed Higbee through the initial west coast five-month accelerated maintenance availability period to provide a combat ready ship to the fleet.

  "I’ve known I wanted to command a warship since I was 11 years old,” said Skahen. “If only I could tell that 11-year-old how fantastic it would be! Serving as commanding officer of Higbee has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime. This team embodies strong maneuvers for varsity moves and will no doubt continue to get wins.” Skahen will transition to Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center in San Diego to continue leading Sailors in the surface warfare community.

  “I owe every success in command to the hard work and dedication of each sailor onboard,” said Skahen “My most sincere thanks especially to the Wardroom, Chiefs Mess, First Class Petty Officer Association and Junior Enlisted Association for all that we’ve accomplished together. I’m damn proud to have been your captain.”

  Asante, a Houston native, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2010. He most recently served as the executive officer of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD 22), forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan.

  "I am extremely humbled and honored to be the fourth commanding officer of USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee,” Asante said. “I look forward to leading this incredible crew in all challenges and endeavors which lie ahead.” Commissioned on May 13, 2023, Higbee is the second U.S. Navy ship to honor Chief Nurse Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee, the second superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps, and the first woman to receive the Navy Cross for her distinguished service during World War I.

  For more news from Higbee, visit [https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/DDG123](https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/DDG123).”