USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class STEVEN HOSKINS | 180112-N-LW591-021 GROTON, Conn. (Jan.12, 2018) Oklahoma City, Okla. native, Cmdr. Neil Colston, outgoing commanding officer of the nuclear powered, Los Angeles class, fast-attack submarine, USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720), (right) returns a salute from his relief, Pittsburgh Pa., native Cmdr. Jason Deichler (left) as the commodore of Submarine Squadron Twelve, Capt. Ollie Lewis oversees the time honored naval tradition of the change of command ceremony at the Dealey Theater, Naval Submarine Base, New London in Groton, Conn. on Jan 12. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Steven Hoskins/Released)  

GROTON, CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATES

01.12.2018

Story by Chief Petty Officer Steve Owsley 

Submarine Readiness Squadron (SRS) 32

GROTON, Conn. – The nuclear-powered, Los Angeles class, fast-attack submarine, USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) held a change of command ceremony in the Dealey Theater at Naval Submarine Base, New London on Jan. 12, 2018.
Oklahoma City, Okla. native Cmdr. Neil Colston transferred command of Pittsburgh to Pittsburgh, Pa. native Cmdr. Jason Deichler.
Colston spoke of the highlights of Pittsburgh’s battle history over the boat’s 34 years of active service, including being one of the first U.S. fast-attack submarines to fire Tomahawk cruise missiles at enemy targets during Operation Desert Storm, followed by combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Colston said, “It has indeed been a high honor to be assigned as her commanding officer over the last few years. Through my time Pittsburgh has continued to build upon her great tradition….”
He went on to talk about the accomplishments of the boat and crew during his time in command. These accomplishments included steaming 40,000 nautical miles during a deployment to the European Theater of Operations, a dry dock period for heavy maintenance, followed by a four-month mini-deployment. Pittsburgh also did its part to train future submarine leaders by conducting Submarine Command Course operations.
Pittsburgh is one of the oldest boats in the Atlantic Fleet, yet the boat and its crew have never pulled back from any challenge. The competitive nature of Pittsburgh and Colston were evident when Colston spoke about one last milestone for Pittsburgh. “To cap it all, USS Pittsburgh became the latest in a short list of Los Angeles class submarines to complete her 1,000th dive, a rare occurrence for nuclear ships.” Colston chided Deichler by saying, “Sorry Jason, we couldn’t leave that one to you.”
Colston spoke of the importance of the Pittsburgh team when he said, “The true heart and soul of the Pittsburgh, the iron men of her crew persevered and gave their all for us to execute all of these operations across every spectrum of missions for a submarine.”
Colston shared one of his favorite sayings to impart the importance of the crew to Pittsburgh’s success. “There is no unnecessary equipment and there are no unnecessary Sailors on a machine as complicated as a submarine, a machine more complicated than the space shuttle.”
Colston addressed his crew directly when he said, “Sailors and leaders of Pittsburgh, I know that you are in tremendous hands with Cmdr. Deichler, I know he will also be a great mentor and I know you will provide him mentorship just as you did with me.”
Deichler, a self-described son of Pittsburgh said, “The USS Pittsburgh has proven for over 30 years that she is one of the finest submarines our world has and will ever know, and I thank our leadership for the trust and blessings to lead this amazing crew into harm’s way once again.”
In a message for Pittsburgh’s Sailors Deichler said, “To the crew of Pittsburgh—from the day I stepped onboard during underway operations, you have shown me the definition of sustained, programmatic excellence. I am enthused to lead on with you through the next few years.”
Pittsburgh’s new commanding officer also spoke about his motivations. “As I grew up in the small Pittsburgh suburb of Carnegie, I saw hard working men and women pick up a piece of chalk and teach the next generation, or pick up a sledgehammer and conduct a training with professionalism and integrity, or wield a mother’s love to teach children the values of family and humility. Those sons and daughters of Pittsburgh inspired me to breathlessly work hard and never give up. I carry with me each day this fact—I am a son of Pittsburgh and I am the son of James and Karen Deichler. I will never forget the faces of the men and women of Pittsburgh, nor the faces of my family.”
Deichler closed his speech with a message for his crew. “Pittsburgh, I am humbled beyond words to be your CO, and I ask that you remember each day why we fight—I ask that you too never forget the faces of your family.”

• Date Taken: 01.12.2018
• Date Posted: 01.16.2018 10:51
• Story ID: 262127
• Location: GROTON, CONNECTICUT, US