Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Tristan Lotz | 190503-N-ME396-214 GROTON, Conn. (May 3, 2019) Food Service Officer Lt. Mark-Anthony...... read more read more
GROTON, Conn. – Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) New London held its 51st change of command ceremony May 3.
During the ceremony Capt. Todd D. Moore relieved Capt. Paul A. Whitescarver as commanding officer of the nation’s first, permanent, continental submarine base.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Congressman Joe Courtney (2nd-CT), and Rear Adm. Chip Rock, commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, participated in the ceremony.
Moore became SUBASE New London’s 52nd commanding officer.
He urged SUBASE New London and assembled elected officials, community leaders and citizens to continue to improve on Whitescarver’s legacy.
“I ask you all today: members of Navy Team New London and members of the public, to urgently redouble your efforts to not only keep this base the ‘Finest’ but also to continue to set the bar even higher,” said Moore.
“We must realize that this base, this champion team, can never rest – there is no state of perfection, no finish line. We must realize that there is no final certification before the big test, because we won’t know when the test will come. … and we must realize that our journey of self-improvement never ends. I relish the challenges that lay ahead and look forward to working with all of you as we strive to make the ‘first and finest’ better every day.”
A native of Willoughby Hills, Ohio, Moore most recently commanded USS Montpellier (SSN 765). He has also commanded USS New Mexico (SSN 779), and ashore, has served as the lead tactics instructor at Naval Submarine School and on the U.S. Strategic Command staff.
In command of SUBASE New London since December 2015, Whitescarver led continuing infrastructure improvement and capital investment at the nation’s first permanent, continental submarine base.
Among the many SUBASE New London milestones and distinctions achieved during Whitescarver’s command include: celebrating Connecticut’s Submarine Century and the base’s centennial as a Submarine base in 2016; the base and Southeastern Connecticut being recognized as a Great American Defense Community in 2017; the base’s Cross Hall Galley being awarded the 2017 Admiral Edward F. Ney award for Best Large Galley in the Navy; the base Security Department named as the 2017 Commander, Navy Installations Command Security Department of the Year; the base community service efforts receiving Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic 2017 and 2018 Flagship Community Service awards; the base Public Works team and Navy contracting team being distinguished through a 2018 Federal Energy Management Program Award; and the base earning the 2018 Award for Navy Building Energy Reduction and the Battle ‘E’ for Energy Competition.
During Whitescarver’s tenure, SUBASE New London also cut the ribbon on a completely refurbished Navy Exchange and dedicated the SUBASE diver locker as Tobias Hall, for Donna Tobias, the Navy’s first female hard hat diver.
Whitescarver thanked the men and women of SUBASE New London for their exemplary service.
“Every one of those achievements and milestones was reached because of the men and women who make SUBASE the finest, day in and day out,” said Whitescarver. “I feel humbled, proud, and privileged to have served with you, and more importantly, for you.”
Whitescarver, a native of Roanoke, Virginia, retired from the Navy after 39 years of service.
| Date Taken: | 05.03.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.08.2019 13:51 |
| Story ID: | 321397 |
| Location: | GROTON, CT, US |
| Web Views: | 412 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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