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First Woman Takes Command Of USS Constitution
by U.S.
Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Grant Grady
January 29, 2022
Cmdr. Billie Farrell relieved Cmdr. John
Benda as commanding officer of USS Constitution during a change of
command ceremony on January 21, 2022.
Cmdr. Farrell became
Old Ironsides’ 77th commanding officer and the first woman to serve
as the ship’s commanding officer in the ship’s 224 years of history,
dating back to 1797.
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January 21, 2022 - Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, right, with Cmdr. Billie Farrell, left,
the new commanding officer of USS Constitution, at USS Constitution’s change of command ceremony. USS Constitution, is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Skyler Okerman.)
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“There is a picture floating around of me
standing next to this remarkable ship back in 1998,” said Farrell.
“I could never have imagined that 24 years later that I’d be here
today taking command of Old Ironsides. USS Constitution serves as a
living piece of history. She can be visited and experienced
firsthand, connecting us to those who had a vision of what this
country and government would be. She is also a somber reminder of
those service members that gave the ultimate sacrifice on her decks
to create the nation we know today.”
Farrell previously
served as the executive officer aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided
missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69).
She is a native of
Paducah, Ky. and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the
University of Arkansas.
As USS Constitution’s crew welcomed
Farrell’s historic achievement, they said farewell to the ship’s
76th commanding officer, and local Dedham, Massachusetts, native.
“I know the crew is in great hands with Commander Farrell,” said
Benda. “This historic barrier is long overdue to be broken. I cannot
think of a better candidate to serve as USS Constitution’s first
female commanding officer. I look forward to watching what she and
the crew accomplish in the next few years.”
He served as USS
Constitution’s executive officer from 2017 to 2019 before taking
command of Old Ironsides in 2019.
Benda’s next command will
be teaching at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
The first female commissioned officer to serve aboard USS
Constitution was Lt. Cmdr. Claire V. Bloom, who served as executive
officer and led the historic 1997 sail, the first time Old Ironsides
sailed under her own power since 1881.
The first female crew
member was Rosemarie Lanam, an enlisted Sailor, who joined USS
Constitution’s crew in 1986.
Today women comprise more than
one third of the 80-person crew.
USS Constitution is the
world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat and played a crucial role
in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea
lanes from 1797 to 1855.
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July 16, 2021 - USS Constitution Sailors and
guests display the Patriot Flag alongside the ship. The Patriot Flag
pays tribute to the armed forces, first responders, second
responders, family members, and victims of the terrorist attacks on
September 11, 2001. (Image created by USA Patriotism! from U.S. Navy
photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Grant Grady.)
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The active-duty Sailors stationed aboard
USS Constitution provide free tours and offer public visitation as
they support the ship’s mission of promoting the Navy’s history and
maritime heritage and raising awareness of the importance of a
sustained naval presence.
USS Constitution was undefeated in
battle and destroyed or captured 33 opponents.
The ship
earned the nickname of Old Ironsides during the war of 1812 when
British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull.
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