Submarine Group Ten Changes of Command
by Rick
Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
KINGS BAY,
Ga. – Commander, Submarine Group Ten
held a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, September
7.
Rear Adm.
Randy Crites was relieved by Rear Adm. Michael Holland as the Submarine Group
Ten commander.
Vice Adm.
Joseph Tofalo, Commander, Submarine Forces, was the guest speaker for the
ceremony and commended Crites and his team for their outstanding performance.
“Under your
leadership over the past two years, your team has been responsible for eight of
the most capable and most powerful naval platforms the world has ever known,”
said Tofalo. “Strategic deterrence has
arguably prevented major power war for over 70 years, and you and the entire
Kings Bay team make that happen.”
Crites, a
native of Lima, Ohio, was awarded the Legion
of Merit during the ceremony and credited the personnel at Kings Bay for his
successful tour as Group Ten’s commander.
“As a
commander, I've been blessed with an amazing team, not just my staff here at Group
Ten, but across the various commands on this critically important base,” said
Crites. “The collective team at Kings Bay has performed at a remarkable level
and was frequently recognized by outside organizations and Navy senior
leadership for their sustained superior performance.”
Crites
commanded Group Ten for over two years and said Holland will be inheriting one
the best teams he’s worked with throughout his career.
“Our submarines
are mission ready, our crews are trained and ready—I couldn't be prouder of the
men and women assigned here,” said Crites.
Crites leaves the southern Georgia
coast to move to Washington, D.C., taking his position as director of the
assessment division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
Holland, a native of Great Falls, Montana, previously served as the director of maritime
headquarters on the staff of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He becomes the 17th
commander of Group Ten, which exercises administrative control over Submarine
Squadron 16 and 20 and their assigned ballistic and guided-cruise missile submarines.
“I could
see the great dedication and professionalism as soon as I arrived, that has
earned this waterfront one of the top reputations,” said Holland. “I’m
incredibly excited to take over this position and start working with the Kings
Bay team.”
Submarine Group 10 is located at Naval
Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga. and is the Nation's pre-eminent provider of
sea-based strategic deterrence, strike and unique Ohio-class guided-missile
submarine special operations capabilities.
- - Lt. Joe Painter, Submarine Group
10 Public Affairs