• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Michigan Changes Command and Splits Crew

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070814-05
Release Date: 8/14/2007 11:48:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW/NAC) Eric J. Rowley Fleet Public Affairs Center Det. Northwest

SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- USS Michigan (SSGN 727) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor’s Deterrent Park, Aug. 10.

Capt. Dietrich Kuhlman and Capt. Charles Doty relieved Cmdr. Terry Takats as commanding officer.

The change of command also marks the day in which the crew of the Michigan was split into Blue and Gold crews.

During Takats tenure, he and his crew made sure an SSBN to SSGN conversion was completed successfully.

“Terry Takats was specifically selected for his job as commanding officer because our force leadership knew he was up to the challenge,” said Capt. Kerry Ingalls, Commander Submarine Squadron 19. “He delivered SSGN on time and on budget, which is about $1 billion for the conversion and he delivered the ship in superior condition.”

Commander Submarine Group 9 Rear Adm. Frank M. Drennan was unable to attend the change of command and crew combination ceremony, but left a message with Ingalls for Takats.

“I extend my congratulations on your strong, steady performance as commanding officer of USS Michigan, during one of the most challenging periods in the ships history,” said Drennan. “You prepared your crew to operate a new platform that will lead the way to entirely new concepts of undersea warfare.”

During the ceremony, Takats was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal for his work during the ships engineering refueling overhaul and SSGN conversion, which was completed ahead of schedule.

“It has been my highest honor and privilege to serve the crew of Michigan and I wish you and the crew, all the best in the remaining preparations for full mission readiness,” said Takats. “Keep up the outstanding work and get her done!”

Takets also thanked others who contributed to the success of his tour including ombudsmen and his family.

The ceremony continued with the reading of orders and then the official change of command where Kuhlman and Doty became the commanding officers of the Blue and Gold crews, respectively, of the Michigan, officially splitting the crew.

“To the crew of the USS Michigan, I salute you for the professionalism and skill you demonstrated during your recent operations,” said Kuhlman. “I look forward to working with all of you, and the honor of leading many of you, as we take the fight to the enemy. Our creed is simple: mission first, people always.”