USS Oscar Austin Holds Change of Command Ceremony
SOUDA BAY, Greece – Cmdr. Gerry Sellars relieved Cmdr. David Nicolas as commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) during a change of command ceremony held aboard Oscar Austin on Sept. 10, 2026.
During Nicolas’ tour, Oscar Austin maintained an unprecedented operational tempo while deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Demonstrating exceptional combat readiness and tactical discipline, he directed his crew through multiple high-stakes, real-world integrated air and missile defense and strike operations supporting operations in the Eastern Mediterranean. Nicolas’ focus on warfighting excellence and procedural compliance ensured flawless multi-mission execution—simultaneously projecting offensive firepower while defending critical theater assets under compressed engagement timelines.
Nicolas credited the crew for the command’s success during his tenure.
“Serving as Commanding Officer of Oscar Austin and leading her incredible crew will be the best job I’ll ever have,” Nicolas stated. “Over the last year, the ship and crew demonstrated the unparalleled lethality of an Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer and a forward-deployed asset in the European theater enabling a rapid response in support and defense of U.S. and NATO operations. I am so proud of the team we developed on board, and I am certain the team will continue to even greater success under the guidance of Cmdr. Sellars.”
Nicolas’ is headed to Surface Warfare Schools command in Rhode Island, where he will be an instructor.
Sellars most recently served as Oscar Austin’s executive officer. After assuming command, he expressed gratitude for the crew’s efforts, since his arrival in 2025.
“I look forward to my role as commanding officer and further developing the crew,” Sellars said. "As we continue our current patrol, we support the joint force efforts of building a layered and resilient defense, which serves to extend American security and safeguard vital European and American trade routes.”
A native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Sellars graduated from Embry-Riddle before earning his commission in 2010. He began his surface warfare career aboard USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), as the auxiliaries’ officer. Following this assignment, Sellars reported to USS Stout (DDG 55) in Norfolk, Virginia, as the fire control officer, where he completed a deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet in support of ballistic missile defense operations in the Eastern Mediterranean. His shore assignments include tours as a naval science instructor at Rice University Naval Reserve Officer Training Corp and serving as weapons officer and combat systems officer aboard USS John S. McCain (DDG 56).
Oscar Austin is the first Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer and proudly bears the name of United States Marine Corps Pfc. Oscar P. Austin. Oscar Austin was commissioned on Aug. 19, 2000, in Norfolk, Virginia. Oscar Austin is a ballistic missile defense, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare capable destroyer. The ship can embark two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to assist in anti-submarine and other warfare areas. Destroyers can deploy with carrier strike groups, surface action groups, expeditionary strike groups or independently.
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