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    USS Ohio (B) Conducts Change of Command Ceremony

    BANGOR, WA, UNITED STATES

    11.10.2016

    Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Amanda Gray 

    Commander, Submarine Group Nine   

    BANGOR, Wash. (NNS) -- The Blue crew of the guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) conducted a change of ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Nov. 10.

    Capt. David Soldow, from San Francisco, relieved Capt. Broderick Berkhout, from Vermillion, South Dakota, and assumed the duties and responsibilities of the Ohio Blue crew commanding officer during the ceremony at the Bangor Chapel.

    Berkhout assumed command of Ohio Blue crew July 7, 2014, 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 maintence period. During his tour, the crew was deployed two separate times in the Western Pacific, while the boat was forward-deployed to Guam.

    "The last two and half years have come and gone quicker than I would have wished," said Berkhout. “An assignment to an SSGN, no matter your job title, is by far the most challenging and satisfying job that can be assigned in the submarine force. Even with my previous experience in command, nothing prepares you for the level of performance that is demanded from SSGN crews across the board, in every submarine mission area. There will be many things from the last two and a half years that I will reminisce about and treasure for the rest of my naval career.”

    Highlights from the deployment include exercises involving Special Operations Forces, port visits in Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, and coordination of the largest Tomahawk Missile onload in program history. During his leadership, over 60 enlisted Sailors and nine officers received their submarine warfare qualification or “dolphins”.

    "As old as it is, USS Ohio is a marvel of technology," said Berkhout. “But without a crew, this ship is nothing more than cold steel and miles of lifeless electrical wiring. The crew brings a ship to life and of all the things I will miss as I leave command, it is the crew standing before you today that I will miss the most. Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud of your accomplishments and I am grateful that I have been given the opportunity to serve as your commanding officer. "

    Soldow comes to Ohio Blue from Commander, Cruise Missile Support Activity, Pacific, located in Hawaii.

    "To Capt. Berkhout and the crew of the USS Ohio, your reputation and accomplishments precede you," said Soldow. "Always first, Ohio has always been known for not only her impressive accomplishments, but even more so, her truly outstanding Sailors. I am honored to be entrusted with the opportunity to be a part of this great team and continue the legacy of USS Ohio."

    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.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 11.10.2016
    Date Posted: 11.10.2016 18:08
    Story ID: 214415
    Location: BANGOR, WA, US
    Hometown: SAN FRANCISCO, CA, US
    Hometown: VERMILLION, SD, US

    Web Views: 225
    Downloads: 0

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