08/04/2026
A New Chapter of Leadership at DESRON 9 ⚓
Destroyer Squadron Nine - CDS9 held its official Change of Command ceremony, July 31, 2026. Capt. Kathleen Ball officially relieved Capt. Leo Leos as commodore.
Capt. Ball has assumed command of a warfighting DESRON, where she takes combat ready surface forces and transitions them into combat power. 💪
Under Capt. Leos’ command, DESRON 9 deployed twice with the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. In U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, they sustained readiness during active combat operations by scheduling austere maintenance availabilities in the Gulf of Oman. They also planned and executed extensive combat operations in the Red Sea, and Gulf of Oman. DESRON 9 planned and led a Surface Action Group through the Strait of Hormuz, establishing the conditions for the Nimitz Strike Group to enter the Arabian Gulf. Inside the Arabian Gulf, the team established rotary-wing es**rt procedures for low, slow aircraft, coordinating operations across the Strike Group.
In U.S. 7th Fleet, DESRON 9 served as Maritime Interdiction Operations Commander for a high-visibility special operations boarding, and in Fourth Fleet, they executed operations with allies and partners during the Southern Seas Deployment.
From these successes, DESRON 9 stands as a battle-tested command capable of operations across diverse missions and theaters.
Join us in wishing Capt. Leos fair winds and following seas, and congratulating Capt. Ball a seasoned ASW/ASUW WTI, as she takes command! 🫡
U.S. Navy | | | | |
