U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Jacksonville (SSN 699) changed command November 25, as Commander Matthew Boland was relieved by Commander Steven Faulk. The change of command took place during a ceremony at the historic submarine piers of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Commander Matthew Bolland said:
Every member of my team is elite and well-trained. We have a challenging schedule with no off season, and you play to win.
While in command, Boland led Jacksonville through its 16th deployment, completing operations in support of U.S. Seventh Fleet, and conducting port calls in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia; Stirling, Australia; Singapore and Guam.
During the ceremony, Boland was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his performance aboard Jacksonville from August 2013 to November 2015.
As Commander Steven Faulk assumed command, he thanked Boland for turning over a great, classic ship and addressed the crew:
Thank you for the warm welcome, your aloha spirit and can-do attitude,” said Faulk. “You set the standard for these other boats with your deployment accomplishments, and I am lucky to inherit this ship and crew.
Commissioned May 16, 1981, USS Jacksonville is named after Jacksonville, the largest and most populous city in Florida, and is the first ship to bear the name. At 360-feet-long and 6,900 tons, Jacksonville can be armed with MK48 advanced capability torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
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Image: US Navy