The Royal Navy's flagship, Devonport-based HMS Bulwark has a new man at the helm.
Captain James Parkin has taken over command of the warship which has been at the forefront of some of the armed forces major operations, including as the main platform for security at the London Olympics.
He said: "I am hugely honoured to assume command of HMS Bulwark.
"The ship has a demanding future programme to meet and a faultless reputation for sustained excellence in high profile situations.
"I am certain that my sailors and marines under my command will continue to deliver operational success in the future, whatever 2016 holds."
Capt Parkin joined the navy as a warfare officer in 1997. He commanded Plymouth-based HMS Montrose from 2012 to 2014 to conduct deployments to the Middle East, Mediterranean and Baltic.
He worked in the Ministry of Defence from 2014 to 2015 and was selected for promotion to captain in 2015.
He has also served on HMS Berkeley, HMS Manchester and HMS Somerset, commanded the patrol vessel HMS Ranger and was deployed to Baghdad to work in the US-led multi-national force HQ.
Capt Parkin succeeds Capt Nick Cooke-Priest who now begins a job in the Ministry of Defence in London.
In another celebration, the ship has been presented with the Royal Navy's Capital Ship Fleet Effectiveness Trophy.
The award recognised unwavering performance through 2015 including migrant search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, the poignant 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign and the amphibious Cougar 2015 deployment to the Mediterranean, which included security support to two international summits in Malta.
HMS Bulwark also scooped numerous other awards in 2015.
It won the Desmond Wettern Trophy for 2015, awarded to the ship considered to have done most to project a positive image of the Royal Navy.
The ship was also a finalist for the Plymouth Herald's Pride of Plymouth awards and her sports teams have equally triumphed gaining a Fleet Sports Trophy.
HMS Bulwark faces training and maintenance prior to a varied and exciting programme of exercises and operations through the year.
Based in HM Naval Base, Devonport, HMS Bulwark is one of the Royal Navy's two amphibious assault command and control ship with a crew of 350, a quarter of whom are made up from 4 Assault Squadron Royal Marines.
The ship is designed to carry up to 225 marines in dedicated accommodation for long periods and another 500 in austere conditions for short periods.
A large floodable dock holds four large landing craft – with another four on the ship's side. The larger craft can carry up to 120 troops or a Challenger 2 main battle tank. For humanitarian missions, they have been loaded with lifejackets, water, food, medical supplies and shelter.
HMS Bulwark is retained at high readiness of five days' notice for operations – whether combat operations, providing humanitarian assistance or disaster relief.
