Photo By Chief Petty Officer Amanda Gray | BANGOR, Wash. (Aug. 17, 2018) Cmdr. Edward Fultz, right, from Three Oaks, Michigan,...... read more read more
Subscribe
BANGOR, Wash. (NNS) -- The Gold crew of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nevada (SSBN 733) welcomed a new commanding officer, Aug. 17, during a change of command ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.
Cmdr. Edward Fultz, from Three Oaks, Michigan, relieved Cmdr. Gene Severtson, from Spring Lake Park, Minnesota, and assumed the duties and responsibilities as the Nevada Gold commanding officer during the change of command ceremony held at Deterrent Park.
“Having command of a submarine was truly and honor and a privilege, and I enjoyed it tremendously,” said Severtson. “Everyone told me that having command is the best job in the Navy and the most challenging. They were right. Every day and each decision was unique and trying. I can honestly look back at the collective efforts of the finest 165 Sailors in the Navy, the crew of the Nevada Gold, and relish with pride in their many accomplishments.”
Severtson assumed command of Nevada Gold on December 18, 2015. During his leadership, the crew conducted four strategic deterrent patrols, eight major certifications, they advanced 175 Sailors to the next rank, and 170 enlisted Sailors and 19 officers, two of them during the ceremony, received their submarine warfare qualification devices, or "dolphins". The crew also earned the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Commander, Submarine Squadron 17 Communications Green "C" award, as well as the 2017 Commander, Submarine Squadron 17 Personnel Readiness White "P" award.
“Nevada’s contributions to the Nations’ strategic deterrent mission have been significant,” said Severtson. “Our efforts have thwarted our adversaries will and desire to challenge our American beliefs and freedoms. Nevada has been nothing but a sea going vessel my entire tour and we have made a significant impact. We have deployed an astonishing 300 days during my 32-month tour. It should be comforting to know that ballistic missile submarines like Nevada are always on patrol, ready to respond to Presidential direction on a moment’s notice, and have the ability to apply overwhelming and unimaginable force upon an enemy anywhere in the world. That is strategic deterrence, that is what submarines like Nevada are conducting every day, and that is what I have been lucky enough to play a part in the last couple of years.”
Severtson’s next assignment will be in Washington D.C., where he will serve on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Naval Undersea Warfare Division at the Pentagon.
Fultz comes to Nevada Gold from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency where he served as the International Program Officer for Global Nuclear Security.
“I am truly humbled to be given the honor to command USS Nevada Gold,” said Fultz. “To the families and warriors of Nevada, I thank you for your service and sacrifice. What you do matters. It matters to this country and it matters to me. You should be proud of your many accomplishments. My challenge for each and every one of us, is that we seize every opportunity, to improve upon and strengthen our warfighting skills, to ensure the continued defense of this great nation.”
Nevada is one of eight Ohio-class Trident ballistic missile submarines stationed at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, providing the most survivable leg of the nation's strategic deterrent forces. The boat celebrated 32 years of service Aug. 16, 2018.
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.17.2018 16:53 |
| Story ID: | 289330 |
| Location: | BANGOR, WASHINGTON, US |
| Hometown: | SPRING LAKE PARK, MINNESOTA, US |
| Hometown: | THREE OAKS, MICHIGAN, US |
| Web Views: | 1,393 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, USS Nevada (SSBN 733) Gold Crew Welcomes New Commanding Officer, by CPO Amanda Gray, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
