17 OKINAWA, Japan – Rear Adm. Chris Engdahl assumed command of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76 from Rear Adm. Fred Kacher during a change of command ceremony at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, May 12. Presiding over the ceremony was Vice Adm. Bill Merz, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “Fred, you were exactly the right leader of Expeditionary Strike Group 7 when the Fleet needed you most. A tough year, I am thankful for your great work and the tremendous achievements of your team,” said Merz. During Kacher’s time as commander, the Sailors and Marines of ESG 7 expanded naval integration and warfighting concepts, and combated the challenges of the pandemic throughout each deployment. In the past 18 months, the strike group executed four deployments covering a range of amphibious operations to include embarking and operating the F-35B Lighting II aircraft on USS America (LHA 6), integrating with Mark VI patrol boats and expeditionary mine counter measure detachments, expeditionary strike force operations and executing more than a dozen exercises and operations with U.S. allies and partners in the region.