USS Nevada SSBN 733 (Blue) Celebrates Change of Command
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS100116-27
Release Date: 1/16/2010 4:51:00 PM
By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (AW) David Votroubek, Commander, Submarine Group 9 Public Affairs
KEYPORT, Wash. (NNS) -- USS Nevada (SSBN 733) (Blue) held a change of command ceremony at the Naval Undersea Museum Jan. 11.
Cmdr. Alan Schrader relieved Cmdr. Mark Behning as commanding officer of the fleet ballistic missile submarine.
Commander, Submarine Group 9, Rear Adm. James F. Caldwell Jr. served as guest speaker and praised Behning for his leadership during the submarine's refueling at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance facility, and cited the crew as instrumental in the boat's continued operational success.
"No commanding officer succeeds without the support of his crew," Caldwell said, "and as we look upon the USS Nevada crew…you need to know that this crew is one of the best!"
Following Caldwell's remarks, Behning was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his exceptional performance as commanding officer from November 2006 through January 2010.
Behning, while addressing the crew for the final time as their commanding officer, commented that he would miss the crew's camaraderie, and instructed them to "Carry on."
"Battle Born!" the crew responded in unison.
As Schrader assumed command of Nevada, he acknowledged the quality of the crew and the importance of returning the Nevada to operational status.
"Nevada has always had an outstanding reputation," Schrader said, "and we must work hard to bring her back to the fleet as a capable and dependable strategic asset."
For more news from Commander, Submarine Group 9, visit www.navy.mil/local/csg9/.
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