The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767) held a pier-side change of command ceremony for crew members, family and friends on Naval Base Point Loma, Aug. 24.

Cmdr. Phillip Sylvia Jr. relieved Capt. Theron Davis as the commanding officer of Hampton.

Capt. Chris Cavanaugh, commander, Submarine Squadron 11, served as guest speaker for the event.

“Hampton’s performance over the last three years— particularly in terms of delivering combat readiness, working with allies and partners, and taking care of Sailors and their families— has been spectacular, and definitely contributed to the overall capability and lethality of our Submarine Force,” said Cavanaugh.

Following his remarks, Cavanaugh presented Capt. Davis with the Meritorious Service Medal. The ceremony also served as a promotion ceremony for Capt. Davis, who was promoted from the rank of Cmdr. After receiving this prestigious award and his promotion, Davis reflected on his experience serving on board Hampton.

“Forty-four of the Sailors that left with me for ICEX [Ice Exercise 2016] returned to San Diego with me last week,” said Davis. “The other 73% of my crew are new and over the next six months the rest will transfer. What do they all have in common, they have the standards, the processes, and the expectations that I have enforced during my tenure; developing a crew that has all the elements to take Hampton to the top of the Pacific Fleet.”

Davis, from Minerva, Ohio previously served on board the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Wyoming (SSBN 742)(BLUE), the fast attack submarine USS Seawolf (SSN 21), the Ohio class cruise-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728)(BLUE). During his time as the commanding officer for Hampton, he led the ship through an arctic deployment, two change of homeport shifts, and an extensive 2-year overhaul in Portsmouth, N.H., prior to bringing the boat back to its home in San Diego.

After Davis, Sylvia, and Cavanaugh exchanged salutes, Sylvia took command of Hampton and addressed his new crew for the first time.

“To the crew of the USS Hampton, I have very high expectations of you and I will demand your very best,” said Sylvia. “The defense and safety of our families and our nation greatly depend on us and our front line fast-attack submarine.”

Sylvia, has served on board the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines USS Chicago (SSN 721), the USS Topeka (SSN 754) and the USS Louisville (SSN 724).

USS Hampton is the fourth U.S. Navy ship or boat to be named Hampton, but SSN 767 was specifically named for four cities: Hampton, Va.; Hampton, S.C.; Hampton, Iowa; and Hampton, N.H.

Hampton is homeported in Naval Base Point Loma and is assigned to Submarine Squadron 11, which consists of five Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines, Undersea Rescue Command, and a floating dry dock.

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