Cmdr. Neil Colston relieved Capt. William Solomon III as commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Pittsburg (SSN 720), during the time-honored ceremony, Nov. 6, at Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE).

Guest speaker was Capt. Michael Holland, a rear admiral select and currently Director, Maritime Headquarters U.S. Pacific Fleet; and the presiding officer was Capt. Butch Dollaga, Commodore, Submarine Development Squadron (SUBDEVRON) 12.

Capt. Solomon reflected on his tour during his remarks.

"I joined Pittsburgh, three years ago, when she was deep in a shipyard period," said Capt. Solomon.

"In addition to all the maintenance we had to complete, the crew had to completely re-qualify all the watches to operate at sea. It was monumental task, but after 11 months, we completed sea trails on time."

"This was just the beginning of building our team. We had only one year to transition from a green, inexperienced team to warfighters, ready to deploy. And you, the crew of Pittsburgh did it."

"Over the course of that challenging year, you completed tactical development, support for the development of future commanding officers, and engineering exam, a tactical readiness exam, and lots of training for deployment," said Solomon.

"You worked hard and built the skills you needed to go to sea and keep the ship at sea during the deployment to the European Theater of Operations. In order to get all this important training done, you had to keep our 30 year young warship in fighting trim. Which was no easy task - but you did it, and did it well."

"As we readied for deployment, I told all of you that I served my career for the hope of a deployment like ours. What we accomplished in six months far exceeded my expectations. But what truly made it special was being part of such a phenomenal crew."

"This is my fourth ship and it is the best, hands down," said Solomon. "But not because of me... it's the best because of its crew."

Following the change of command, Solomon's next assignment will be in Naples, Italy, where he will be assigned on the staff of Commander, Task Force Sixty-Nine.

Under the command of Solomon, the submarine recently completed a major deployment. Pittsburgh just returned from a European Command and Central Command deployment in May 2015. During that deployment the crew executed the Chief of Naval Operation's Maritime Strategy in conducting Maritime Security Operations supporting national security interests.

Fast-attack submarines like USS Pittsburgh are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence. The submarine is designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare - from open ocean anti-submarine warfare to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to projecting power ashore with special operation forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or preparation of regional crises.

Built by General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, and, commissioned Nov. 23, 1985, the "Heart of Steel" is the fourth American warship to be named for the city of Pittsburgh. It is 362 feet long, has a 33-foot beam, able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet and operates at speeds in excess of 20 knots submerged.

For more information on the submarine force visit the Submarine Force web site at: http://www.public.navy.mil/subfor/hq/Pages/default.aspx


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