Vice Adm. Robert L. Thomas Jr., right, salutes after taking command of the U.S. 7th Fleet.

CAIRNS, Australia (Jul. 31, 2013) Vice Adm. Robert L. Thomas Jr., right, salutes after taking command of the U.S. 7th Fleet alongside departing U.S. 7th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Scott H. Swift during a change of command ceremony aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) in Cairns, Australia. With Thomas and Swift are U.S. Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich and Capt. John Shimotsu, U.S. 7th Fleet Chaplain. Blue Ridge and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff are on patrol operating forward, building maritime partnerships and conducting security and stability operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joshua Karsten) File# 130731-N-GR655-387