Submarine Squadron 16 held a change of command ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Chapel, Kings Bay, Georgia, May 31.

Capt. William Patterson relieved Capt. Christopher Nash as the Submarine Squadron 16 commodore.

Rear Adm. Jeff Jablon, Director, Military Personnel Plans and Policy Division and former commander of Submarine Group 10, was the guest speaker at the ceremony.

“Keeping a submarine forward deployed for up to two years is an almost insurmountable task, especially so for a ship that is over 30 years old. Our submarine crews and Squadron 16 make it look easy,” Jablon said. “Our continuously forward deployed SSGNs bring firepower and stealth, a lethal combination, to the fight. Our SSGNs have proven themselves invaluable and Squadron 16 has excelled in preparing our ships to deploy combat ready.”

Nash was awarded the Legion of Merit during the ceremony and highlighted the high standards set for Sailors serving as squadron staff and aboard the boats of Squadron 16.

“Over the past 18 months, this staff has travelled hundreds of thousands of miles,” said Nash. “You’ve risen to every challenge to teach our crews to operate safely in high risk environments, to improve pace and accuracy of team decision making, to stress command climate as foundational to mission success and to prepare our SSGNs for Great Power Competition.”

“These are the most powerful submarines ever built and the men and women who serve onboard are the best in our Navy and our nation,” said Nash. “They are smart, mentally tough, dedicated, self-sacrificing patriots.”

Patterson, a native of Holliston, Massachusetts, took command of Submarine Squadron 16, which is responsible for the maintenance and operations of three Ohio-class submarines USS Florida (SSGN 728), USS Georgia (SSGN 729) and USS Wyoming (SSBN 742).

“It is a tremendous honor for me to have been selected to lead Squadron 16,” said Patterson. “To the squadron staff, I look forward to building off Capt. Nash’s accomplishments to continually work to improve our support to our boats.”

“To the officers and crew of the Florida, Georgia and Wyoming, our SSBNs and SSGNs are a foundational element of our new National Security Strategy, and I could not be more excited to work with you all to do our part for the nation.”

Nash will report as Director, J8 for Program and Budget Analysis Division for the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C. for his new assignment.

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