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USS Boise Welcomes New
Commanding Officer
By Kevin Copeland,
Commander, Submarine Force Public Affairs
Released: January 22, 2010 |
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Los
Angeles-class attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764) held a change of
command ceremony Jan. 22 at Naval Station Norfolk.
Cmdr. Brian L. Sittlow relieved Cmdr. Paul S. Snodgrass as
commanding officer
Capt. Frank Cattani, commander, Submarine Squadron 8, was the
principal speaker at the ceremony.
"Cmdr. Snodgrass, under your leadership the crew of Boise has
excelled in all mission areas," said Cattani. "I congratulate you
and your crew on Boise's many significant accomplishments and
Boise's outstanding reputation. Not many crews have had to work as
hard and overcome as many obstacles. Your men have performed
superbly while conducting forward-deployed operations in several
theaters, and have expertly maintained their ship during complex
shipyard maintenance.
"Paul, few submarine commanders have faced and overcome the many
challenges as well as you during his command of Boise. You have
proven yourself to be an expert submariner with impeccable standards
and exceptional competence. Also, you are one of those rare leaders
who are able to take his team to the highest levels, while keeping
their well-being a high priority."
Cattani presented Snodgrass with his second Meritorious Service
Medal citing his "superior leadership, demanding standards, keen
prioritization, planning and persistence in directing the
outstanding performance of his crew."
"During the past 24-months our ship was away from Norfolk 319 days,"
said Snodgrass, who reported aboard Boise in February 2008 as the
submarine's eighth commanding officer. "Boise crew, you have always
made me proud. You have performed every task assigned to our ship.
It was the persistent day-to-day performances by you, working
together as a team with a common goal, which allowed Boise to
achieve its mission.
"Each of you performed your individual roles to the best of your
ability. The sum of your individual efforts exceeded my
expectations. You were always on watch, displaying a diverse set of
skills, all with great enthusiasm and total dedication. You make
Boise a submarine. To each of you, I thank you and your families for
your sacrifice."
In attendance were Dirk Kempthorne, former secretary of the
Interior, governor of Idaho governor U.S. senator; Boise, Idaho
Mayor David Bieter; and Tom Killingsworth, chairman of the USS Boise
commissioning committee.
"I would like to recognize some special guests today attending from
our namesake city of Boise," said Snodgrass. "Governor Kempthorne,
Mayor Bieter, and Tom, the crew and I thank you, the city of Boise,
and the committee for your continued support of our ship, crew, and
families."
Snodgrass will report to the Tactical, Readiness, and Evaluation
Team at Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
Sittlow reports to Boise from Naval War College in Newport, R.I.,
where he received his Masters of Arts degree in National Security
and Strategic Studies in 2009.
"For the crew of Boise, I am humbled and honored to be your new
commanding officer," said Sittlow. "I look forward to serving and
sailing with you. As I assume command today, I am forever grateful
for many members of the submarine fraternity that have guided me
throughout my career, providing leadership, counseling and
occasional nudges along the way.
"I want to personally thank Cmdr. Snodgrass for a great turnover and
for his cherished advice. He has provided inspirational leadership
and unrelenting service to Boise. I also want to thank Governor
Kempthorne and Mayor Bieter for attending today, and once again for
infusing the spirit of the west into this wonderful ship and crew."
Snodgrass was grateful for his opportunity to command at sea.
"It is a humbling experience that the U.S. Navy entrusted me to care
not only for a multi-million dollar submarine, but more importantly
for the well-being of some of the nation's most dedicated and
hardworking Sailors," said Snodgrass. "Working with the Navy's best
trained, most talented, and highly motivated Sailors is what makes
the U.S. Submarine Force such a rewarding profession."
Under Snodgrass' tenure as commanding officer, Boise was presented
their third Meritorious Unit Commendation during a formal ceremony
Jan. 8. The crew was recognized for exceeding operational
requirements during a 2008 deployment in the European Command Area
of Operations, conducting four highly successful allied naval
exercises with the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain.
Boise is the second U.S. Navy ship to bear the name of Idaho's
capital city. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding and General
Dynamics Electric Boat Division, Boise was commissioned Nov. 7,
1992. The 360-foot ship has a crew compliment of 13 officers and 121
enlisted Sailors. |
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