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Alexandria Change of Command a Bitter Sweet Moment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080225-19
Release Date: 2/25/2008 4:12:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Myers, Commander Submarine Group Two Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- The USS Alexandria (SSN 757) recieved a new commanding officer in a change of command ceremony held at the Shepard of the Sea Chapel in Groton on Feb. 22.

Cmdr. Mike Bernacchi turned over command to Cmdr. Eugene Doyle.

During Bernacchi's tour as commanding officer, Alexandria completed a deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and participated in Ice Exercise 2007 (ICEX-07) – a joint exercise with the Royal Navy that conducted classified testing on submarine operability and warfighting capabilities in Arctic waters.

Special guest speaker U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney was aboard Alexandria during ICEX-07. He said the initial visit was an amazing experience because he not only had the chance see up close Alexandria's commitment to excellence, but he had the opportunity to develop enduring friendships with both Bernacchi and the crew.

Bernacchi said he was not eager to relinquish command and joked that he had asked everyone, from his squadron commodore to the commander of the submarine force, if he could stay aboard for one more deployment.

"People say this is a bitter-sweet moment, but I don't see anything sweet about losing my ship or my crew," said Bernacchi. "Even though in a few minutes, I will no longer be your captain, you will always be my crew."

Doyle noted that he had often worked with the best in his career and Alexandria was no exception.

"I have often been blessed throughout my career," said Doyle. "It is an honor to serve the submarine force as Alexandria's commanding officer."

Doyle previously served at the Plans and Policy Directorate of the Joint Staff, where he served as the Nonproliferation Branch Chief in the Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction division of the global war on terrorism directorate.

A native of Kalispell, Mont., Doyle graduated from Montana State University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

With stealth, persistence, agility and firepower, fast-attack submarines like Alexandria 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.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Northeast, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrne.