Nevada Gold welcomes a new commanding officer

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Amanda Gray | KEYPORT, Wash. (Dec. 18, 2015) – Cmdr. Gene Severtson, from Spring Lake Park, Minn., delivers remarks during a change of command ceremony for the Gold crew of the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Nevada (SSBN 733). Severtson properly relieved Cmdr. Chad Hennings, from Chicago, during the ceremony held at the Naval Undersea Museum. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda R. Gray/Released)  

KEYPORT, WA, UNITED STATES

12.18.2015

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Amanda Gray 

Commander, Submarine Group Nine   

KEYPORT, Wash. - The Gold crew of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nevada (SSBN 733) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Undersea Museum, Dec. 18.

Cmdr. Chad Hennings, from Chicago, was properly relieved by Cmdr. Gene Severtson, from Spring Lake Park, Minnesota, and assumed the duties and responsibilities as commanding officer of Nevada Gold crew during the ceremony.

“When you’re the CO of a submarine, you are assigned a crew who will literally walk through walls for you to get the job done,” said Hennings. “To the crew of USS Nevada, I’ve told you before that when you work hard, do a great job, and have success, that no one has to tell you what a great job you did … you know it in your heart. Well, today you should know it.”

Hennings assumed command of Nevada’s Gold crew Feb. 28, 2013. During his leadership, the crew conducted four strategic deterrent patrols, received 310 personal awards, and 86 enlisted Sailors and 14 officers received their submarine warfare qualification devices, or “dolphins.”

“I can’t imagine having commanded a better crew or a better ship than the USS Nevada Gold,” said Hennings. “It is great to hand over the reins to someone I have known over the years and respect so much. I know that the crew will be in good hands.”

As his last act as commanding officer, Hennings gave Electronics Technician Seaman Roberto Malpica his dolphins. Hennings will remain at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, where he will join the staff at Commander, Submarine Squadron 19.

“I am incredibly humbled to be standing before you today as the commanding officer of the USS Nevada,” said Severtson. “Not only has Cmdr. Hennings turned over an aging warship in immaculate condition, but he most importantly turned over the finest trained crew in the fleet who has superbly excelled at all assigned missions. The most important asset onboard the submarine is you, the crew. You do it flawlessly, each and every day. I can be no prouder than I am right now to stand before you as your captain.”

Severtson comes to Nevada from Washington, D.C., where he was assigned to the staff of the Director, Undersea Warfare Division, as the Unmanned Systems and Future Payloads Branch Head.

• Date Taken: 12.18.2015
• Date Posted: 12.18.2015 17:59
• Story ID: 184976
• Location: KEYPORT, WA, US
• Hometown: CHICAGO, IL, US
• Hometown: SPRING LAKE PARK, MN, US