Submarine Squadron 19 held a change of command ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor Sept 21.
Capt. Jerry Logan relieved Dennis Carpenter as commanding officer.
Commander, Submarine Group 9, Rear Adm. Bob Hennegan , the event’s guest speaker, praised Carpenter for his exceptional performance while in command.
“As I look back on Commodore Carpenter’s tour at Squadron 19, I can’t help but be tremendously impressed with how much he and his team have accomplished. Even more impressive is how aligned his efforts and initiatives have been with world events and where our Navy is headed,” Hennegan said.
Carpenter spoke highly of his crew and their accomplishments during his tour.
“I strove to challenge my staff and the crews to do it better with more proficiency and efficiency, to understand their ships and systems, to be flexible and innovative, ready and able to fight – and win. I demanded a lot and the Squadron 19 staff and crews excelled,” said Carpenter.
Carpenter’s next assignment will be on the staff of Commander, Submarine Group 9.
Logan, who most recently served on the Chief of Naval Operations’ Strategic Studies Group, is no stranger to Bangor, having previously served as Blue Crew commanding officer of USS Michigan (SSGN 727). He said he looks forward to working with the staff and is thankful to Carpenter for the team he has turned over to him.
“It’s an honor for me to succeed you in command and be given the opportunity to lead this great team you have put together and shaped over the last two years,” Logan said to Carpenter. “For Squadron 19, I promise to work with you to continue on the course that has been set and work hard every day to improve the effectiveness of our ships in support of their missions.”
Submarine Squadron 19 is responsible for manning, training and equipping two guided-missile submarines (SSGNs) and all ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and fast attack submarines (SSNs) undergoing maintenance in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, September 25, 2012; Image: US Navy