• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Submarine Squadron 16 Changes Command

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS130531-22
5/31/2013

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class(SW) James Kimber, Submarine Group 10 public affairs

KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 16 held a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, May 31.

Capt. John Carter relieved Capt. Stephen Gillespie as the commodore of one of the Navy's most decorated submarine squadrons.

'On the third of August 2011, I assumed command of Submarine Squadron Sixteen,' said Gillespie. 'Given our SSGN mission capability to carry up to 66 Naval Special Warfare operators, during my first month, I visited the Naval Special Warfare unit that had lost so many of their close friends and shipmates. I witnessed firsthand their community's dedication to the mission with an unwavering passion and commitment to care for those families of the fallen and never miss a beat with respect to ensuring that those who would do our country harm, will not succeed.

I left that visit with a renewed passion to ensure our SSGNs would support the Nation's objectives and that our Sailors would be treated as well as I had witnessed with the NSW community.'

Gillespie emphasised the work of the Squadron is completed as a team effort.

'Our submariners, regardless of gender, are formidable and performing at the top of their game,' said Gillespie. 'The competition is fierce and the aperture is open wide for our schools' top young people. This is a good thing! [The Squadron is] a top-notch group of professionals. I am very proud of them and as American tax payers, we are getting a bargain for our money.'

Under Gillespie's leadership, the squadron's accomplishments include: the facilitating of the Women in Submarines initiative for the entire Submarine Force, the deploying and oversight of USS Florida (SSGN 728) and USS Georgia (SSBN 729) on nine separate mission periods, two 130-plus-day Major Maintenance Periods, the completion of the first Atlantic SSGN Dry Deck Shelter/SEAL Delivery Vehicle, Naval Special Warfare Full Mission profile and a Navy Unit Commendation for strike performance during Operation Odyssey Dawn.

Gillespie's next assignment will be at Submarine Group 10 in Kings Bay as the Deputy Commander and Chief-of-Staff.

Carter, a 1986 Carnegie Mellon University physics and mathematics graduate, is honored and privileged to serve as the commander of Squadron Sixteen.

'What a remarkable and amazing time to serve-nothing sharpens one's focus and wits quite like the prospect of actual combat,' said Carter, quoting Vice Admiral Mark Fox, then Commander, Fifth Fleet. 'The better prepared we are for combat, the more likely we are to prevent it. Those poignant words provide perspective and exemplify Submarine Squadron Sixteen's mindset on mission readiness.'

CSS16 manages the multi-mission capabilities of USS Georgia (SSGN 729) and USS Florida (SSGN 728), the two Ohio-class guided-missile submarines (SSGN) homeported in Kings Bay, and provides support to the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) before, during and after refueling and overhaul periods at Norfolk (Va.) Naval Shipyard.