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Pasadena Welcomes New Commander

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090215-07
Release Date: 2/15/2009 7:17:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Cynthia Clark, COMSUBPAC Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- the crew of USS Pasadena (SSN 752) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Pearl Harbor Feb. 13.

Cmdr. Andrew St. John relieved Cmdr. Douglas Perry as commanding officer.

Capt. Charles Richard, former commander of Submarine Squadron 17 and now on the staff of Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group, guest speaker at the event, stressed the importance of personal relationships in today's Navy.

"Cmdr. Perry's story on Pasadena is more than a resumé of operations,'" said Richard. "It is also the one on one relationship he forged with each man on the boat. Congratulations on an excellent tour and for the crew of Pasadena, thank you for your service. The service you provide is invaluable and will be more so in the future."

Following the guest speaker's remarks, Commander, Submarine Squadron 7, Capt. Christopher Kaiser, presented Perry with his second Meritorious Service Medal.

Since assuming command in 2006, Perry led Pasadena through a selected restricted availability and a Western Pacific deployment while maintaining an 85 percent operational tempo, completed four missions vital to national security and participated in three international theater anti-submarine warfare exercises.

In closing remarks, Perry told his crew, "Believe in your mission; know you make a difference today in our nation's security and that your preparation of the battlespace enables our readiness for potential future conflict."

Perry continued to thank his crew for all the day-to-day operations they did in support of that mission.
"It has been an honor to serve as your commanding officer," Perry concluded.

While assuming command, St. John, a 1991 Rice University Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps graduate, told his crew, "I am honored to take command of such an outstanding fast attack submarine. I look forward to great days ahead."

Perry's sea tours include USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720), Submarine NR-1 and as executive officer of the USS Maine (SSBN 741) Gold. Perry is a 1989 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.

For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/subpac/.