Photo By Chief Petty Officer Amanda Gray | BREMERTON, Wash. (April 19, 2018) Cmdr. David Vehon, from Apache Junction, Arizona,...... read more read more
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The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Jacksonville (SSN 699) welcomed a new commanding officer during a change of command ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, April 19.
Cmdr. David Vehon, from Apache Junction, Arizona, properly relieved Cmdr. Steven Faulk, from Kennewick, Washington, as the final Jacksonville commanding officer during the ceremony held at the Olympic Lodge.
“I took command of Jacksonville back in November of 2015, and at that change of command I challenged my crew to own your piece, take care of each other, and to fight hard and play hard,” said Faulk. “These things became our command philosophy.”
Under the command of Faulk, Jacksonville completed one extended eight-month deployment and the crew departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii for a homeport change to Bremerton, Washington. The crew also received the 2017 Battle Efficiency Award and 70 Sailors earned their submarine warfare insignias or “dolphins”.
“I saw the crew embrace this philosophy as we fought to get Jacksonville repaired, ready to deploy, complete an eight-month extended deployment and return home to conduct a change of homeport,” said Faulk. “Jacksonville crew, you did it as well as any crew out there, and I was honored to be the captain who set you loose to do your best.”
Faulk’s next assignment will be in Washington D.C., where he will serve on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations.
Vehon comes to Jacksonville from Norfolk, where he served as the deputy of engineering at Commander, Submarine Squadron 6.
“I am both honored and humbled to accept the great responsibility of commanding this vessel of war,” said Vehon. “To the officers and crew I am confident to lead you through this final stage of Jacksonville's legacy. We will work diligently and proudly as we put this Cold War warrior to her final resting place. I know that you will have my back as I will have yours.”
Jacksonville arrived at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton to commence the inactivation and decommissioning process, Dec. 12, 2017, after completing 36 years of service.
Jacksonville was commissioned May 16, 1981. Jacksonville is the first United States Ship to bear the proud name. Measuring more than 360 feet long and displacing more than 6,900 tons, Buffalo has a crew of approximately 140 Sailors. Jacksonville is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
| Date Taken: | 04.19.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.19.2018 18:08 |
| Story ID: | 273763 |
| Location: | BREMERTON, WA, US |
| Hometown: | APACHE JUNCTION, AZ, US |
| Hometown: | KENNEWICK, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,237 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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