The command of USS Texas (SSN 775) was passed, Sept. 9, as Cmdr. Andrew Hertel was relieved by Cmdr. Todd Nethercott as commanding officer at a time-honored change of command ceremony held aboard the Virginia-class fast attack submarine at the submarine piers on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
In command since Feb. 1, 2012, Hertel led his submarine through a 26 month maintenance availability period at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyards (PHNSY).
The first Virginia-class submarine to execute a major depot level maintenance availability and modernization in the pacific provided extra challenges which Osgood said the crew exceeded expectations.
“Texas is now one of the most advanced submarines on the planet, and the crew can testify to its capabilities,” said Osgood.
During the ceremony, Hertel was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his leadership during the first-of-a-kind dry-dock selected availability during his command of Texas from Dec. 2011 to Sept. 2014.
As Nethercott assumed command of Texas, he thanked Hertel for the ready state of Texas and her crew.
Commissioned Sept. 9, 2006, Texas was the second Virginia-class fast attack submarine constructed and the first submarine to be named after the Lone Star State.
The state-of-the-art submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, naval special warfare involving special operations forces, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.