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Leadership Recognized at Philadelphia Change of Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080229-16
Release Date: 2/29/2008 1:40:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Myers, Commander, Navy Region Northeast Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- USS Philadelphia (SSN 690) held a change of command ceremony Feb. 29, at the Shepherd of the Sea Chapel in Groton.

Cmdr. Jeff Jablon turned over command of Philadelphia to Cmdr. John Spencer.

During Jablon's tour as commanding officer, Philadelphia completed a high-tempo shipyard availability and a 2007 deployment to the U.S. European and Central Command areas of responsibility.

Guest speaker, Rear Adm. Cecil Haney spoke about the tremendous leadership and initiative Jablon used to bring Philadelphia through the availability and train the crew for deployment in seven months.

"Taking something this complex and training the crew to exemplary levels in such a short time is truly remarkable," said Haney. "Clearly this is a direct reflection of the commanding officer's leadership."

Jablon said even though he had mixed emotions about leaving command, he felt as if he had accomplished his most important goal – leaving the crew with a sense of pride in their ship.

"You are the most important aspect of the ship," Jablon told the crew. "No matter what the challenge, you met it head on and overcame all the obstacles. You have upheld our tradition of excellence and have lived up to our motto, 'service above self', and I thank you for it."

Jablon's next assignment is as the deputy commander of readiness for Submarine Development Squadron 12.

Spencer noted that he was impressed by the outstanding record of excellence Philadelphia has exhibited. He said that now that he has met the crew he is even more impressed by the patriotism and hard work Philadelphia's Sailors show daily.

Spencer's previous assignments included executive officer aboard USS San Juan (SSN 751), ship's navigator aboard USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) and weapons officer aboard USS Billfish (SSN 676).

A native of Fairborn, Ohio, Spencer graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1991 with a degree in systems engineering, and holds a master of arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.

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