The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) (Gold) held a change of command at the chapel aboard Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, March 15.

Capt. Robert Peters relieved Capt. Douglas Jordan as commanding officer of USS Georgia (SSGN 729) (Gold).

Vice Adm. Chas Richard, commander, Submarine Forces, was the guest speaker for the ceremony and praised Jordan of his time leading Georgia through multiple deployments and challenges.

“I couldn’t be more proud of how far you have come,” said Richard. “Your performance as Georgia Gold’s commanding officer has been superior. From deployments and maintenance periods, to inspections and certifications, Georgia has consistently risen to the challenges placed in front of her.”

Richard impressed upon Peters the importance of his assignment as commanding officer and the confidence he has in his role.

“Capt. Peters, your career has prepared you well for this extremely important job,” said Richard. “Your service on four submarines, including command of USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) (Gold), gives you a wide variety of operational experience make you an obvious perfect fit for this vital assignment.”

Jordan, from Dothan, Alabama, attributed his successful tour onboard Georgia to his crew.

“Georgia Gold is more like a family than any other crew I’ve been a part of,” said Jordan. “I’ve deployed twice with my crew. Throughout those deployments, they have never failed to astonish me with their ability to meet any adversity we faced with tenacity and we were highly successful in accomplishing every mission we were assigned.”

Jordan was also awarded the Legion of Merit during the change of command.

For his next assignment, Jordan will report to Commander, Submarine Group Two as the chief of staff in Norfolk.

Peters, who was born in Yokosuka, Japan, and spent his formative years in Oak Harbor, Washington, expressed his appreciation for his crew and leading the Georgia family.

"To the officers and crew of warship Georgia, I stand before you fully aware that to lead is to simply serve,” said Peters. “I am humbled and inspired by your tenacity, resiliency and character. I will do my very best to serve as your commanding officer. Together, we, the Georgia family, will accomplish great things.”

As commanding officer of USS Georgia, Peters will be responsible for ensuring the submarine’s full mission capability in order to perform precision strike, joint special operations forces operations, operational preparation of the battlespace, SSGN/SSN consort operations, carrier and expeditionary strike group operations, and future payloads experimentation.

As the second U.S. Navy ship named for its namesake state, the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine Georgia was converted from a ballistic-missile submarine in March 2004.

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