USS Cowpens
Commanding Officer (February 5, 2013 - June 20, 2013) 
CAPT Robert P. Tortora
Commanding Officer (February 2013 - June 2013)
Captain Robert Parris Tortora is a native of Rota, Spain. He spent his youth in several Navy homeports around the world and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in Alexandria, VA in 1984. He then attended the United States Naval Academy, receiving a B.S. in Political Science and was commissioned in May 1988.

Captain Tortora’s initial sea tour was in USS HEWITT (DD 966) where he served as Communications Officer, Auxiliaries Officer, and then Main Propulsion Assistant, completed two deployments to the Middle East, and conducted the homeport shift from San Diego, CA to Yokosuka, Japan. He next attended the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA, receiving an M.S. in Operations Research. In June 1995 he reported to USS LEFTWICH (DD 984) in Pearl Harbor as Engineer Officer. He brought LEFTWICH out of extended overhaul and through workups to her last deployment to the Middle East Force. Next he was assigned as Engineer Officer in USS RAMAGE (DDG 61) in Norfolk, VA, joining RAMAGE on her first deployment to the Mediterranean in April 1997. He was next assigned to the Assessments Division (N81), Office of the CNO as Ship Readiness Analyst and then on the Air Dominance IWAR as Cruise Missile Defense Program Analyst. He then served as Executive Officer of USS CUSHING (DD 985) in Yokosuka, Japan from March 2001 until July 2002, deploying in support of ENDURING FREEDOM. In June 2003 he completed studies at the National War College in Washington, DC, receiving an M.S. in National Security Studies. He was then assigned to the Missile Defense Agency as Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System Program Management Officer. His most recent assignment at sea was Commanding Officer of USS CHAFEE (DDG-90) homeported in Pearl Harbor, HI. In CHAFEE, he deployed to the Middle East Force, a subsequent surge deployment to the Western Pacific and earned the COMDESRON Twenty Three Battle Efficiency Award and the Pacific Fleet Spokane Trophy for 2007. He was most recently assigned ashore as the BUPERS Surface Warfare Officer Community Manager in Millington, TN.

Captain Tortora’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, and the Navy Achievement Medal.

 NEWS
USS Cowpens and USS Antietam Complete Hull Swap
USS Cowpens and USS Antietam Complete Hull Swap
YOKOSUKA, Japan - Capt. Tom Disy, commanding officer of the guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63), salutes Capt. Robert Tortora, commanding officer of the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54), at the conclusion of a hull swap ceremony at Fleet Activities Yokosuka.
USS Cowpens (CG 63)
USS Cowpens Returns from Japan, Hull-Swap
SAN DIEGO - The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) arrived in San Diego, April 8, from the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility after completing its forward-deployed mission and a hull swap with USS Antietam (CG 54).
Cowpens Honors Sailors for Saving Lives in Oklahoma Tornado
SAN DIEGO – Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Vice Adm. Thomas H. Copeman, III, presented two Sailors with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for their life-saving efforts during a tornado in Okla., in an awards ceremony on Naval Base San Diego, June 12.

 Served with...
LCDR Ian Wood

Start Date: April 2012
End Date: February 2013
CMDCM (SW) Kaszubowski

Start Date: August 2012
End Date: February 2013
Command Master Chief

Start Date: February 2013
End Date: July 2013
Command Master Chief

Start Date: February 2013
End Date: July 2013
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