The world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat will have its first woman commanding officer after Cmdr. Billie J. Farrell, USN, takes over for current CO Cmdr. John Benda, USN, in a Jan. 21 change-of-command ceremony.

Farrell, pictured, will become the 77th CO of USS Constitution, which was commissioned in 1797 and earned its “Old Ironsides” moniker during the War of 1812. 

“I am honored to have the privilege to soon command this iconic warship that dates back to the roots of both our nation and our Navy and to have been afforded the amazing opportunity to serve as USS Constitution’s first female commanding officer in her 224 years,” Farrell said in a Jan. 4 news release announcing the change of command. “I hope to strengthen the legacy of USS Constitution through preservation, promotion, and protection by telling her story and connecting it to the rich heritage of the United States Navy and the warships serving in the fleet today.”

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Farrell will take command after serving as the executive officer aboard USS Vicksburg (CG-69). Previous assignments included serving as the deputy director of professional development at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and as the weapons officer aboard USS San Jacinto (CG-56). Farrell graduated from the Naval Academy in 2004, according to her official online biography.

The ship’s first woman sailor, Rosemarie Lanam, joined the crew in 1986, per the release. Its first commissioned officer, Lt. Cmdr. Claire V. Bloom, served as executive officer during its historic 1997 sail – the first time Constitution sailed under its own power in more than 100 years.

Learn more about the ship, including detailed history and visitation schedules for the vessel and its museum, at USSConstitutionMuseum.org.