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USS Scranton Holds Change of Command

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120120-28
1/20/2012

By Kevin Copeland, Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Scranton (SSN 756) held a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk Jan. 20.

Cmdr. Seth Burton relieved Cmdr. Paul A. Whitescarver.

"This change of command marks the ending of one chapter in the Scranton story while also signaling the beginning of another," said retired Rear Adm. Arnold Lotring, guest speaker. "Cmdr. Seth Burton brings with him an exceptional record of operational experience and preparation during his career.

"Under the leadership of Cmdr. Whitescarver, the record of success of Scranton has been exceptional. Over a 30- month period, he has guided the crew through major system and equipment modernization periods and well as a myriad of intricate at-sea operations."

Capt. Eugene Sievers, commander, Submarine Squadron 6, then presented Whitescarver his second Meritorious Service Medal citing him for proven leadership and tactical experience delivered mission success, superior personnel retention and the highest state of material readiness during local fleet operations as well as an extended seven-month deployment.

"It is the leadership aspect of the job that has maintained my ambition over the past 30 years, said Whitescarver. "There is not a better way of finding out your abilities as a leader than commanding a fast-attack submarine. It is the most difficult, technically complex and most rewarding job that anyone could have in the Navy."

Burton gladly accepted the challenge of command.

"To my new shipmates, I could not be more excited to be your captain at such a time as this," said Burton, a 1994 graduate of the University of Alabama at Huntsville with a degree in chemical engineering.

Burton's previous assignment before taking command of Scranton was executive officer of the Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team at Commander, Submarine Forces Atlantic (COMSUBLANT).

Whitescarver next duty assignment will be as the operations officer at COMSUBLANT.

Before assuming command of Scranton in October 2009, Whitescarver sea assignments have been as a division officer onboard the fast-attack submarine and now decommissioned USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (SSN 708); the Combat Systems officer onboard fast-attack submarine USS Norfolk (714); the Engineering Officer onboard USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul; and as Executive Officer onboard ballistic-submarine USS Alabama (SSBN 731).

His shore commands have been at the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned a master's degree in national security affairs; the Joint Chiefs of Staff, J8 Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment Directorate, where he served as the executive assistant for the deputy director for Force Application and director for Chemical, Radiological, Biological, and Nuclear Defense; and at the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program Office where he served as the Nuclear Enlisted Program and community manager.

Named after the city of Scranton, Penn., located in the Lackawanna River Valley, Scranton was built by Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company and was commissioned Jan. 26, 1991. The 360-foot ship has a crew compliment of 16 officers and 122 enlisted Sailors, displaces 6,900 tons of water, and can travel in excess of 20 knots while submerged.

Fast-attack submarines like Scranton have multifaceted missions. They use their stealth, persistence, agility and firepower to deploy and support special force operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity, and ensure undersea superiority.