Photo By Lt.j.g. Nancy diBenedetto | Capt. Andy Kimsey, from Kalamazoo, Michigan delivers remarks during a change of...... read more read more
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Keyport, Wash.-- The Blue crew of guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) conducted a change of ceremony at the Naval Undersea Museum, March 7.
Capt. Andrew Kimsey, relieved Capt. David Soldow, and assumed the duties and responsibilities of the Ohio Blue crew commanding officer during the ceremony held in the Jack Murdock Auditorium.
"In the Navy, we normally assign a Commander, an O-5, as the CO of our warships, with a few noteworthy exceptions," said the event's guest speaker, Rear Adm. Blake Converse, commander, Submarine Group Nine. "For certain capital ships, such as cruisers, aircraft carriers, and large deck amphibious ships, the mission is so important, the command decisions so critical, and the leadership challenges so complex that we assign a full bird Navy captain as commanding officer. The SSGN is such a ship, and the sub force doesn't assign just any captain. They are first successful COs, then are screened for major command and for major command at sea, and that's a good thing, because the operational demands on our SSGNs are incredibly high, and failure is not an option. Capt. Dave Soldow, and the relieving Capt. Andy Kimsey, are such officers."
Soldow assumed command of Ohio Blue crew Nov.10, 2016, during a major maintenance period at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The Blue crew then took the boat to sea for its first operational period following the maintenance period and returned in April, 2017.
During his leadership, the crew received the 2016 COMSUBRON 19 Battle "E", Navigation "N", Engineering "E" 2017, Weapons "W", communication "C" award and 2017 Battle Efficiency "E" Award.
"I must recognize the absence of a key member of the command, the Ohio herself," said Soldow. "This periodic maintenance period is absolutely vital and will result in the Ohio returning to the fleet with the 'new submarine smell' literally bristling with new technology and combat capability," said Soldow. "To the crew, thank you, each and everyone one of you. All the concepts, insights, plans, and decisions that are the daily details of commanding are nothing more than pure fantasy without all of you."
Soldow will serve for Joint Staff as the Director Regional Operations J35.
Kimsey comes to Ohio Blue from Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic, where he served as the Director for Strategic Operations, Nuclear Weapons, and Force Protection.
"Congratulations on an outstanding command tour and I thank you also for your vision in executing this yard period always with an eye to our eventual deployed operations," said Kimsey." Finally I have a few words for the men and women of the Ohio. We must never forget that we are warriors, called to a higher purpose than most. We have sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies," said Kimsey. "We must be ready for that challenge and to that end everything we do must be viewed through the lens of how it increases our combat capability and combat effectiveness."
Armed with tactical missiles and equipped with superior communications capabilities, Ohio has the ability to conduct large-volume, short-notice strike missions and covertly deploy special operations forces.
Ohio and its sister ship, USS Michigan (SSGN 727), are both homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.
For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.
For more news from Commander, Submarine Group 9, visit www.navy.mil/local/csg9/.
| Date Taken: | 03.07.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 03.07.2018 20:29 |
| Story ID: | 268504 |
| Location: | KEYPORT, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 623 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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