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Merrick Relieved by Nisbett as Commanding Offier of USS Albany

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070615-20
Release Date: 6/15/2007 3:53:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christina M. Shaw, Commander, Submarine Forces Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Cmdr. Mark Merrick was relieved by Cmdr. Thad Nisbett as commanding officer of the nuclear-powered fast attack submarine USS Albany (SSN 753) in a ceremony June 14 on board Albany at Naval Station Norfolk's Pier 3.

Guest speaker, retired Vice Adm. Albert Konetzni, former deputy commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command and currently president of West Valley Nuclear Services Company, offered some fond reflections on life in the submarine force.

“I love this community and it’s not the black hulls or the pretty equipment. It’s the people. The submarine community’s ability to reinvent itself plus its employment has always been carried today. You are the ones making it happen,” said Konetzni to the crew of Albany.

Throughout Konetzni’s speech he reminded Albany’s family and friends that command of a mighty warship was no small task, and that he firmly believed Merrick was the right man for the job.

“No officer is better qualified. The Navy got it right when they chose you,” said Konetzni.

Merrick, an Ohio native, graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering and was commissioned in November 1987. He will be transferring to serve as the senior board member of the Tactical Readiness Examination Team on the staff of Commander, Submarine Force.

Nisbett was previously assigned to Submarine Development Squadron Twelve in Groton, Conn., as the Sea Shield department head.

Nisbett began his naval career at the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with distinction in 1989. Following nuclear power and basic submarine training, he served on USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730 GOLD) in Bangor, Wash., in various division officer assignments.

Following his first assignment, he reported to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Orlando, Fla., as division director for Enlisted Reactor Plane Technologies. While there he also attended the University of Central Florida where he earned a master’s of science degree in Engineering Management. Following this tour he completed the Submarine Officer Advanced Course and served on board USS Atlanta (SSN 712) as the engineering officer.

In 2000, Nisbett was assigned as the engineering officer on USS Virginia (SSN 774), then PCU Virginia. Following that tour he served his first executive officer tour on USS Providence (SSN 719) in Groton, before going on to Newport, R.I., where he earned a master’s of arts degree in foreign affairs.

With stealth, persistence, agility and firepower, fast-attack submarines like Albany are multi-mission capable – able to deploy and support special forces operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary’s military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity and ensure undersea superiority. Albany is 360 feet long, displaces 6,900 tons of water and can travel in excess of 25 knots.