The Gold crew of the guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) conducted a change of command ceremony in the Jack Murdock auditorium at the Naval Undersea Museum, Aug. 6.

Capt. William Johnson relieved Capt. Gerald Miranda and assumed the duties and responsibilities of the Ohio Gold crew during the ceremony.

Guest speaker, Rear Adm. Daryl Caudle, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet acknowledged the outstanding performance and leadership of Capt. Miranda.

 “Capt. Miranda, as you head off to your next assignment, rest assured that your caring and visionary leadership, coupled with your genuine concern for the men and women of Ohio Gold were significant, meaningful, and effective. You not only contributed deeply to keeping our nation safe, you changed the lives of the Sailors within your charge.”

Miranda assumed command of the Ohio Gold crew April 21, 2016. Through the guidance of his leadership, the crew completed one six-month Western Pacific deployment completing two missions vital to national security. They also received the Personnel Readiness White "P", Information Technologies White "I", and Deck Seamanship White "D" for 2016 and the Medical "M", Personnel "P", Weapons "W", Battle "E", and the Retention Excellence Award for 2017.

“There are two men up here who are smiling the most, me and Capt. William Johnson,” said Miranda. “But we are smiling for different reasons. I am smiling because I have had an incredibly successful and rewarding tour on Ohio. I am smiling because I will now have more time to devote to my wife and kids. I have given Ohio every ounce of energy I had. Capt. Johnson is smiling because he is about to become the next commanding officer of the most powerful and capable submarine in the nation’s arsenal. He has an awesome crew too.”

Miranda’s next duty station will be Washington D.C., where he will be the Chief of Staff for the assessment division in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

Johnson comes to Ohio Gold from Strategic Systems Programs in Washington D.C.

“I am so blessed and so fortunate to stand before you today,” said Johnson.  “As you have heard throughout this ceremony, Ohio has excelled in all facets of submarining and has served as one of the Navy’s cornerstones for nearly 40 years.  I am grateful for the opportunity to become a part of the rich legacy that the boat has already established. Forged from steel, equipped with impressive technology and powered by nuclear energy, she is capable of taking the fight to the enemy.  However, the capabilities and performance of this ship are not based on the engineering design and physical attributes, but on the skill and professionalism of the crew.  The 165 warriors of Ohio are what gives the ship it’s fighting spirit and what has forged her success.  Shipmates, I consider it the highest privilege to be given the opportunity to lead you, and I eagerly look forward to sailing beneath the waves with you.”

Armed with tactical missiles and equipped with superior communications capabilities, Ohio has the ability to conduct large-volume, short-notice strike missions and covertly deploy special operations forces.

Ohio and its sister ship, USS Michigan (SSGN 727), are both homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.

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