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USS Florida Welcomes New Captain

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090205-29
Release Date: 2/5/2009 4:52:00 PM

By Lt. Jesse Hubbart, USS Florida (Blue) Public Affairs

DIEGO GARCIA (NNS) -- USS Florida (SSGN 728) (Blue) held a change of command ceremony in Diego Garcia Feb. 3.

Capt. Randy B. Crites relieved Capt. William F. Traub as commanding officer.

Traub delivered the welcoming remarks and Capt. Thomas M. Calabrese, USS Florida (SSGN 728) (Gold) commanding officer, served as the principal speaker.

"As the first captain, conducting the first deployment on Florida as a SSGN, Capt. Traub has led with distinction, dignity and perseverance," Calabrese said. "He has inspired the best in the crew and the ship has excelled in all tasks. Under Capt. Traub's leadership Florida Blue crew has been awarded two consecutive Battle Efficiency awards and several other awards for operational and tactical excellence."

Traub took command of Florida (Blue) in October 2006 shortly after the ship left Norfolk Naval Shipyard and changed homeport to Kings Bay, Ga.

Similar to her role as a SSBN, Florida as a SSGN, remains a lethal deterrent force. As a SSGN, she is configured to perform precision strike, joint special operations forces operations, operational preparation of the battlespace, SSGN/SSN consort operations, carrier and expeditionary strike group operations, and future payloads experimentation.

"This has been the hardest yet most satisfying job I've had in my career," Traub said. "To take a crew of 165 Sailors and a submarine just out of the shipyard and transform it into a highly proficient and fully functioning front line warfighting platform has been remarkably rewarding."

Under the command of Traub, the ship completed many arduous tests beginning with splitting the combined shipyard crew into blue and gold. Other initial challenges included the complete modernization and testing of several new systems while also preparing the ship for its maiden deployment as a SSGN. As the Florida crew trained and matured under Traub's leadership they completed many SSGN and Trident submarine firsts; the first Tomahawk launch from a SSGN, the first multiple missile salvo test, the first minefield penetration exercise, and first submerged sternway operations by a Tridet-class submarine.

As the first East Coast SSGN to forward deploy to the front line in the war on terror, Florida and Traub have completed an even more impressive list of first ever accomplishments including; the first SSGN to operate in the Mediterranean Sea, the first Trident-class submarine to transit the Suez Canal, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Strait of Hormuz, and the largest submarine ever to operate in the Persian Gulf.

Florida is currently completing its maiden deployment in support of U.S. Central Command and the recently formed U.S. Africa Command.

Before relinquishing command, Traub spoke of the myriad of accomplishments of the ship and especially her crew.
"You, the Sailors of Florida Blue crew personify the best our Navy and our Nation have to offer. As a team you have executed a nearly impossible operational schedule and made it look simple. I marvel daily at what you are able to accomplish. You have made my job as commanding officer easy and I will always be proud to say that I was associated with this ship and especially this crew."

Traub even tagged the crew with the motivational slogan "Fightin' Florida". He also gave recognition to the Florida (Blue) families who have endured nine months of separation from their loved ones in the last year and who "sacrifice daily for the good of our country".

"This crew personified the "Fightin' Florida" stated Traub. "No matter what the job or mission this crew always rose to the occasion and exceeded my expectations. No single statement is better suited to describe this crew. USS Florida as a SSGN is a ship destined for greatness, and I feel humbled and honored to have been a part of her."

Crites looks forward to the challenges of continuing to build Florida and her crew into an even more effective fighting force and continuing Florida's reputation of excellence.

Traub's next assignment is chief of staff, Commander, Submarine Group 10 in Kings Bay.

For more news from Commander, Submarine Group 10, visit www.navy.mil/local/csg10/.