Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class William J Blees | The audience stands at attention as colors are presented during the guided-missile...... read more read more
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By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class William Blees
Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Detachment Northwest
SILVERDALE, Wash. - The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Ohio’s (SSGN 726) blue crew changed hands July 7 in a ceremony at Deterrent Park, Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.
Capt. Broderick V. Berkhout relieved Capt. George P. Norman, who has been in command since December 2012.
"There is something special about Ohio Blue that I felt from the moment I stepped on board, and it has been an honor to be a part of this crew,” Norman said.
Under Norman’s leadership, the blue crew completed a successful western Pacific operation period, a forward-deployed voyage repair period, one emergency drydock maintenance period, and was awarded the 2013 Submarine Squadron 19 Battle Efficiency “E” award. The ship is currently undergoing a major maintenance period at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash.
During the ceremony, Norman thanked local staff, family and friends of the Ohio and for the last time, his crew. He also praised the values of his crew that led to the submarine's accomplishments under his watch.
“The Sailors I saw day-in and day-out the last year and a half were the most professional, team-oriented men and women I have ever met; not at all like the popular perception of today’s generation,” said Norman. “They share a level of ownership toward the ship’s mission and a level of camaraderie and caring for one another that transcended any problem. No matter what the tasking, the men and women of Ohio Blue always rose to the occasion. It is the crew that gives a ship its spirit and transforms metal into a war fighting machine. It is that spirit that I had the privilege to see every day.”
Norman is retiring and returning to his home state of Connecticut.
“As you transfer command and head to the next chapter of your life, your legacy is in the future chief petty officers, executive officers and commanding officers,” Rear Adm. Dietrich Kuhlmann, commander of Submarine Group 9 said to Norman. “The next generation of professional Sailors that you trained and made warfighters are the future of this great Navy. They are the reason we are able to continue to operate forward and get the mission done. You have served our nation and the Navy honorably and with excellence.
After assuming command, Berkhout congratulated Norman for his successful tour aboard Ohio.
“I am extremely blessed more so than most; I am rewarded the opportunity to command [a submarine] again,” said Berkhout. “George it has been a pleasure working with you these past few weeks. I could not have asked for a better crew and ship than the one you turned over to me.”
During Berkhout’s previous tour, he commanded USS Seawolf (SSN 21) from March 2013 to February 2014, completing a six-month deployment in Feb. He also commanded USS Asheville (SSN 758) in San Diego from June 2007 to August 2009, completing a six-month Western Pacific deployment.
| Date Taken: | 07.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.08.2014 01:24 |
| Story ID: | 135472 |
| Location: | SILVERDALE, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 989 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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