Photo By Neil Boorjian | KITTERY, Maine (Sept. 11, 2026) — Portsmouth Naval Shipyard held a change of command...... read more read more
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD, Maine – A change of command ceremony for USS Hampton (SSN 767) was held Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard during which Cmdr. Grant Wanier was relieved as Commanding Officer by Cmdr. Ryan Gieleghem.
Capt. Jason Deichler, Chief of Staff, Submarine Programs, was the keynote speaker, and Capt. Mike Poplawski, commodore Submarine Squadron TWO, presided over the ceremony.
Wanier, originally from Sacramento, California, earned his commission from the United States Naval Academy, Class of 2006, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Systems Engineering. He also holds master’s degrees in business administration with a certificate in renewable and sustainable energy from the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder, and in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College. Wanier assumed command of the Hampton May 30, 2024.
“I could not be prouder of the Hampton crew and the entire project team for what we accomplished together,” said Wanier. “Through their technical expertise, professionalism, and relentless commitment to the mission, we completed refueling ahead of schedule and positioned Hampton for an early undocking and an accelerated return to the fleet. More important than any single milestone, this team proved what is possible when the ship’s force and shipyard work together toward a common purpose. It has been a tremendous privilege to serve as their Commanding Officer.”
Under Wanier’s leadership, Hampton completed its service life extension program in just 143 calendar days, 27 days ahead of schedule.
Gieleghem, a native of Troy, Michigan, was commissioned October 2005 at Officer Candidate School in Pensacola Florida. Prior to his commissioning, Cdmr. Gieleghem spent seven years in the United States Air Force as a ground radio electronics technician.
Hampton, a Los Angeles-class nuclear powered fast-attack submarine, was commissioned Nov. 6, 1993, and has a crew of nearly 175 Sailors. Hampton arrived at PNSY Nov. 21, 2024, and successfully docked March 8, 2025. Prior to arriving at PNSY, Hampton carried out crucial maritime security operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet, Operation Ice Camp 2024, and participated in UNITAS LXV, the world's longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise, in U.S. 4th Fleet.
As America’s leader for attack submarine maintenance, repair and modernization, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard delivers the decisive edge required to master an era of evolving threats. It stands at the forefront of America's commitment to peace through strength, delivering combat-ready submarines that are lethal, resilient, and prepared to win. The work performed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is a direct contribution to national security, ensuring the U.S. Navy remains the most dominant maritime force anywhere in the world.
| Date Taken: | 09.04.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2026 13:15 |
| Story ID: | 574441 |
| Location: | KITTERY, MAINE, US |
| Web Views: | 316 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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