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USS Maryland Gold Crew Changes Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101124-19
11/24/2010

By Mass Communication Speciailist 1st Class(SW) James Kimber, Commander, Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs

KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- USS Maryland (SSBN 738) (Gold) held a change of command ceremony in Kings Bay, Ga., Nov. 24.

Cmdr. Andrew Kimsey relieved Cmdr. Jeffrey M. Grimes as Maryland's commanding officer.

"The last three years while I've been in command, I've had the luxury of knowing that no matter how many good people leave, I will be getting great people in," said Grimes.

Grimes said that there are two things that never have or will change with Maryland.

"One, it's the most powerful weapons system ever built. It's a hard job with awesome responsibility, but the ballistic missile submarine community holds the balance of power with strategic deterrence for our nation's leaders to leverage," said Grimes. "The second thing that never changes is the heart of Maryland. The faces change, but the spirit of the boat never does. [Maryland's crew] has that Maryland spirit in them."

After taking command of the "Fighting Mary" Gold Crew in February 2008, the Louisville, Ky., native led his crew through four strategic deterrent patrols. Grimes also led the Maryland to receive consecutive Battle "E" awards, the 2008 U.S. Strategic Command's Omaha Trophy for Strategic Excellence and three Navy Retention Excellence Awards. His crew's recognition also led to his own as he was presented the Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale Leadership Award for Inspirational Leadership in October 2010.

Grimes, a 1990 mechanical engineering graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy, is scheduled to move to Norfolk and become the Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team Senior Member.

Kimsey, a Kalamazoo, Mich., native, praised his new crew on their accomplishments and reminded them of the laurels the Maryland stands for.

"We must never forget that we are warriors. We have sworn to defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, and we have been charged with the sacred duty of deterring massive aggression against our families and this great nation," said Kimsey.

Maryland, the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be named in honor of the "Old Line State," is a virtually undetectable undersea launch platform for the Trident II D-5 submarine ballistic missile with the mission of strategic deterrence and serves as the most survivable leg of our nation's nuclear strike triad.