Crew of the future USS Iowa (SSN 797) holds change of command ceremony

GROTON, CT, UNITED STATES

02.25.2022

Story by Ensign Charles E. Spirtos 

Submarine Readiness Squadron (SRS) 32

GROTON, Connecticut – Capt. Quintin James turned command of the crew of the future USS Iowa (SSN 797) over to Cmdr. Matthew Powell in a traditional change of command ceremony held Friday, Feb. 25, at Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE NLON) in Groton, Connecticut.

SSN 797 is a nuclear-powered Virginia-class fast attack submarine under construction at General Dynamics Corp.’s Electric Boat shipyard in Groton. The crew operates under Submarine Squadron 4, which is headquartered at SUBASE NLON.

“Leading a submarine in the shipyard is an incredibly challenging command. A commanding officer must master the engineering of submarine construction and still fight to imbue his wardroom and crew with the warfighting knowledge, skills, and spirit essential to any warship,” said Capt. John Stafford, commanding officer of Submarine Squadron 4.

“Capt. Quintin James mastered these demands expertly. The Iowa crew is fit to fight now and are good stewards of the ship they are helping to build.

“Cmdr. Powell is inheriting a highly trained, highly motivated crew,” Stafford continued. “He will lead them to new heights in the coming years. As Commodore of Squadron, I am proud to have served with Capt. James for his inspiring tour as commanding officer of Iowa, and I welcome Cmdr. Powell to the team.”

The future USS Iowa will be the fourth U.S. Navy ship named for the state of Iowa, and the first since lead ship of the Iowa-class battleships, originally commissioned in 1943 and finally decommissioned in 1990. The battleship Iowa is now located in Los Angeles and open to the public as a museum ship.

"It's been the honor of a lifetime serving as commanding officer for the fine men and women of the future USS Iowa. Their incredible dedication to preparing themselves and their new state-of-the-art submarine representing the Great State of Iowa to serve the fleet has been nothing short of inspiring. The support we've received from the Groton waterfront, the talented shipbuilders of Electric Boat and the proud citizens of Iowa, who are entrusting us with their state's name, has positioned our team to be successful for the next three decades. It's bittersweet for me to move on from this amazing command. It has truly been the best job I have ever had. I'm proud of what we accomplished together, and I know CDR. Powell is the right person to lead this crew into the future, take SSN 797 out of the shipyard and into the United States Navy to serve our nation with pride."

From here, James will transition to the Maritime Operational Warfare Assist and Assess Team at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Powell arrives at the command after departing the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, as a distinguished graduate.

"Under CAPT James' energizing and peerless leadership, the crew of the Iowa has exceeded all expectations. I'm humbled to have the opportunity to step into this already-thriving team and work alongside these Sailors in the coming years. We will face every challenge with vigor and optimism, and we will deliver our Navy the most powerful submarine, manned by its hardest working crew. I can't wait to get started."

Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or preparation of regional crises.

• Date Taken: 02.25.2022
• Date Posted: 02.25.2022 15:34
• Story ID: 415298
• Location: GROTON, CT, US