USS Asheville Changes Command

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Kelsey Eades | SANTA RITA, Guam (May 19, 2020) Cmdr. Thomas Bullock, commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758), delivers remarks during a livestreamed change of command ceremony for Asheville. Bullock relieved Cmdr. Jeremy Pelstring as the commanding officer of the Asheville. Asheville is one of four forward-deployed submarines assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen out of Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelsey J. Hockenberger)  

SANTA RITA, GUAM

05.19.2020

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kelsey Eades    

Commander, Submarine Squadron 15

SANTA RITA, Guam (May 19, 2020) – Cmdr. Thomas Bullock relieved Cmdr. Jeremy Pelstring as commanding officer of Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) onboard Naval Base Guam at Konetzni Hall, May 19.

In lieu of COVID-19, the traditional change of command ceremony in front of the submarine's crew was not held in order to maintain proper social distancing.

As he turned over command, Pelstring thanked his crew for everything they accomplished during his tenure.

"This crew has performed at the top of its game each and every day," said Pelstring. "Your resilience is unmatched. Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to getting Asheville to the front lines and staying there."

Pelstring went on to thank his family for their continued support during his tour aboard Asheville.

“I must thank my beautiful, brilliant wife who enabled me to realize my dream of command,” said Pelstring. “She did it while keeping her own business afloat and caring for our amazing little boys, Carter and Elliott, back in Virginia these past three years."

A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Pelstring is scheduled to report to Commander, Submarine Squadron Six in Norfolk, Virginia..

Bullock, a native of Woodbridge, Virginia, left a message for his crew as he assumed command of Asheville.

"I am in awe of the remarkable Sailors we have on Asheville, and am truly honored to be your Commanding Officer,” said Bullock. "I look forward to being a part of the continued growth of this crew as a premier, forward-deployed warfighting submarine."

Bullock is a graduate of Penn State University and Rutgers University. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science both in Mathematics. He commissioned in 2002 through Officer Candidate School.

Asheville is one of four Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 15 (CSS-15), which is located at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam in Apra Harbor, Guam. The squadron staff is responsible for providing training, material and personnel readiness support to these commands. Also based out of Naval Base Guam are submarine tenders USS Frank Cable (AS 40) and USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). The submarines and tenders are maintained as part of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed submarine force and are readily capable of meeting global operational requirements.

For more news from Commander, Submarine Squadron 15, visit our official CSS-15 website at http://www.csp.navy.mil/css15 and our official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SubmarineSquadron15/.

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• Date Taken: 05.19.2020
• Date Posted: 05.19.2020 04:42
• Story ID: 370274
• Location: SANTA RITA, GU
• Hometown: CHARLESTON, SC, US
• Hometown: WOODBRIDGE, VA, US