Commander, Submarine Group Ten held a change of command ceremony at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, September 7.

Rear Adm. Randy Crites was relieved by Rear Adm. Michael Holland as the Submarine Group Ten commander.

Vice Adm. Joseph Tofalo, Commander of Submarine Forces, was the guest speaker for the ceremony and commended Crites and his team for their outstanding performance.

"Under your leadership over the past two years, your team has been responsible for eight of the most capable and most powerful naval platforms the world has ever known," said Tofalo. "Strategic deterrence has arguably prevented major power war for over 70 years, and you and the entire Kings Bay team make that happen."

Crites, a native of Lima, Ohio, was awarded the Legion of Merit during the ceremony and credited the personnel at Kings Bay for his successful tour as Group Ten's commander.

"As a commander, I've been blessed with an amazing team, not just my staff here at Group Ten, but across the various commands on this critically important base," said Crites. "The collective team at Kings Bay has performed at a remarkable level and was frequently recognized by outside organizations and Navy senior leadership for their sustained superior performance."

Crites commanded Group Ten for over two years and said Holland will be inheriting one the best teams he's worked with throughout his career.

"Our submarines are mission ready, our crews are trained and ready I couldn't be prouder of the men and women assigned here," said Crites.

Crites leaves the southern Georgia coast to move to Washington, D.C., taking his position as director of the assessment division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

Holland, a native of Great Falls, Montana, previously served as the director of maritime headquarters on the staff of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. He becomes the 17th commander of Group Ten, which exercises administrative control over Submarine Squadron 16 and 20 and their assigned ballistic and guided-cruise missile submarines.

"I could see the great dedication and professionalism as soon as I arrived, that has earned this waterfront one of the top reputations," said Holland. "I'm incredibly excited to take over this position and start working with the Kings Bay team."

Submarine Group 10 is the Nation's pre-eminent provider of sea-based strategic deterrence, strike and unique Ohio-class guided-missile submarine special operations capabilities.

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