USS Boise Changes Helm
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080202-01
Release Date: 2/2/2008 7:58:00 AM
By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Dean Lohmeyer, Commander, Submarine Force Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764) held a change of command ceremony Feb. 1 on Naval Station Norfolk's Pier 3.
Cmdr. Paul S. Snodgrass relieved Cmdr. Rodney A. Mills as commanding officer of Boise.
Capt. Earl Carter, former commander, Submarine Squadron 8, served as the principle speaker at the ceremony.
Snodgrass said he is ready to take over and continue the high level of professionalism and service Boise had under Mills' direction.
"Rod has done an outstanding job, and turned over an outstanding crew," said Snodgrass. "I think my initial transition will be very easy do to the hard work he performed."
Snodgrass is looking forward to his tour as commanding officer of Boise.
"I am very excited," he said. "This is what (submarine officers) train for a lifetime, and this is an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream."
This is Snodgrass' first tour as a commanding officer. His previous sea tour was as executive officer of USS Maine (SSBN 741) (Blue) in Kings Bay, Ga., from August 2002 to July 2004.
Mills led Boise during the ship's most recent deployment, a voyage of more than 40,000 miles under the Arctic ice to the Pacific and back to Norfolk through the Mediterranean Sea.
Throughout the cruise, Boise completed national security missions along with war on terror and Maritime Security Operations missions while serving in the 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of operation.
Boise was also recognized as the Battle Efficiency award winner for Submarine Squadron 8 for demonstrating the highest level of battle readiness in the squadron during the previous year.
Mills is proud of his Boise crew, and is sad to leave them behind, but is looking forward to more time with his family.
"It's been a lot of hard work and dedication, as well as a tremendous amount of fun," he said. "I've not spent enough time with my family in the past couple years, and now I look forward to spending some time with them."
Mills' next assignment will be as a student at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.
Boise Mayor David H. Bieter was a special guest at the ceremony, demonstrating the strong namesake tie the sub has with Boise, Idaho.
"The ties just couldn't be stronger," said Bieter. "I grew up in Boise, and had some awareness, but coming into office and seeing the committee of the USS Boise maintain close ties to the ship … is one of the most gratifying parts of being the mayor."
Bieter participated in a namesake embark aboard Boise during Mills' tour as commanding officer, and hosted Mills on a namesake outreach visit to Boise on two separate occasions.
"I just couldn't be any more pleased," said Bieter. "We are very, very proud of the boat and everybody associated with it."
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