by Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs
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| Cmdr. Neil Colston relieved as Commanding Officer of USS Pennsylvania |
(GROTON, Conn.) - The nuclear-powered, Los Angeles class, fast-attack submarine, USS Pittsburgh, held a change of command ceremony in the Dealey Theater at Naval Submarine Base, New London on Jan. 12.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, native Cmdr. Neil Colston transferred command of USS Pittsburgh to Cmdr. Jason Deichler.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, native Cmdr. Neil Colston transferred command of USS Pittsburgh to Cmdr. Jason Deichler.
Colston spoke of the highlights of Pittsburgh's battle history over the boat's 34 years of active service, including being one of the first U.S. fast-attack submarines to fire Tomahawk cruise missiles at enemy targets during Operation Desert Storm, followed by combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Colston said, "It has indeed been a high honor to be assigned as her commanding officer over the last few years. Through my time Pittsburgh has continued to build upon her great tradition...."
He went on to talk about the accomplishments of the boat and crew during his time in command. These accomplishments included steaming 40,000 nautical miles during a deployment to the European Theater of Operations, a dry dock period for heavy maintenance, followed by a four-month mini-deployment. Pittsburgh also did its part to train future submarine leaders by conducting Submarine Command Course operations.
Pittsburgh is one of the oldest boats in the Atlantic Fleet, yet the boat and its crew have never pulled back from any challenge. The competitive nature of Pittsburgh and Colston were evident when Colston spoke about one last milestone for Pittsburgh. "To cap it all, USS Pittsburgh became the latest in a short list of Los Angeles class submarines to complete her 1,000th dive, a rare occurrence for nuclear ships." Colston chided Deichler by saying, "Sorry Jason, we couldn't leave that one to you."
Colston spoke of the importance of the Pittsburgh team when he said, "The true heart and soul of the Pittsburgh, the iron men of her crew persevered and gave their all for us to execute all of these operations across every spectrum of missions for a submarine."
Colston shared one of his favorite sayings to impart the importance of the crew to Pittsburgh's success. "There is no unnecessary equipment and there are no unnecessary Sailors on a machine as complicated as a submarine, a machine more complicated than the space shuttle."
Colston addressed his crew directly when he said, "Sailors and leaders of Pittsburgh, I know that you are in tremendous hands with Cmdr. Deichler, I know he will also be a great mentor and I know you will provide him mentorship just as you did with me."
**See link below for additional photo**
https://www.flickr.com/photos/navyoutreach/39731162101/in/dateposted-public/
- - Chief Mass Communication Specialist Steve Owsley, Naval Submarine Support Center, New London, Public Affairs
Colston said, "It has indeed been a high honor to be assigned as her commanding officer over the last few years. Through my time Pittsburgh has continued to build upon her great tradition...."
He went on to talk about the accomplishments of the boat and crew during his time in command. These accomplishments included steaming 40,000 nautical miles during a deployment to the European Theater of Operations, a dry dock period for heavy maintenance, followed by a four-month mini-deployment. Pittsburgh also did its part to train future submarine leaders by conducting Submarine Command Course operations.
Pittsburgh is one of the oldest boats in the Atlantic Fleet, yet the boat and its crew have never pulled back from any challenge. The competitive nature of Pittsburgh and Colston were evident when Colston spoke about one last milestone for Pittsburgh. "To cap it all, USS Pittsburgh became the latest in a short list of Los Angeles class submarines to complete her 1,000th dive, a rare occurrence for nuclear ships." Colston chided Deichler by saying, "Sorry Jason, we couldn't leave that one to you."
Colston spoke of the importance of the Pittsburgh team when he said, "The true heart and soul of the Pittsburgh, the iron men of her crew persevered and gave their all for us to execute all of these operations across every spectrum of missions for a submarine."
Colston shared one of his favorite sayings to impart the importance of the crew to Pittsburgh's success. "There is no unnecessary equipment and there are no unnecessary Sailors on a machine as complicated as a submarine, a machine more complicated than the space shuttle."
Colston addressed his crew directly when he said, "Sailors and leaders of Pittsburgh, I know that you are in tremendous hands with Cmdr. Deichler, I know he will also be a great mentor and I know you will provide him mentorship just as you did with me."
**See link below for additional photo**
https://www.flickr.com/photos/navyoutreach/39731162101/in/dateposted-public/
- - Chief Mass Communication Specialist Steve Owsley, Naval Submarine Support Center, New London, Public Affairs