Capt. Chester T. Parks relieved Capt. Brian M. Lepine as commanding officer of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in a change of command ceremony Nov. 29. 

The guest speaker for the ceremony was Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar, Commander, Navy Region Southeast, who reflected on the contributions Lepine made during his tour of duty.

"Captain Lepine and his team managed the funding and execution of infrastructure and sustainment projects that will keep this base operating at peak levels for years to come," said Bolivar. "Maybe that's not a flashy accomplishment - it's not the stuff that movies are made of, but it's a big deal."

Lepine credited his staff for their many achievements during his time as commanding officer.

"Although we did suffer the wrath of two hurricanes, we were exceptionally successful over the past two years thanks to a great team and staff," said Lepine. "Without their dedication, determination, their selfless aid and often steerage, the amazing accomplishments would not have been possible.

Lepine was awarded the Legion of Merit during the ceremony for "providing unparalleled shore support to the ballistic missile submarine fleet and strategic deterrence mission."

Parks said he looked forward to working with the staff and everyone in the Kings Bay community to continue to make the submarine base the best place to work and live in the submarine service.

"It is obvious that this base is second to none in the submarine community," said Parks.  "I expect to carry on that tradition of providing superior service to the warfighters and their families here at Kings Bay."

Lepine served as the 21st commanding officer of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay since 2016 and will retire from the Navy after more than 38 years of service.

Parks come to Kings Bay from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, where he served as the shipyard representative for Commander, Submarine Naval Force Atlantic.

Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay is the Navy's East Coast home to the Trident submarine, and homeport for five Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines and two Ohio-class guided missile submarines.

For more information about Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, visit www.cnic.navy.mil/KingsBay/

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