The Blue crew of ballistic-missile submarine USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) welcomed a new commanding officer, Dec. 9.

Cmdr. Chimi Zacot, from Prince George County, Virginia, relieved Cmdr. Michael Diagle, from Deer River, Minnesota, and assumed the duties and responsibilities of the Louisiana Blue crew commanding officer during the change of command ceremony at the Bangor Chapel.

"United States Navy Sailors -- my Sailors -- Louisiana Sailors; that's what I will always remember about my command tour," said Daigle. "I will never forget each and every one of you, your honor, your courage, and your commitment, and I very much look forward to hearing of your many continued successes."

During his next assignment, Diagle will be a member of the Atlantic Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board at Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

Zacot comes to Louisiana Blue from Groton, Connecticut, where he served as the director of Advanced Training and Readiness and executive officer at the Naval Submarine School.

"You can only imagine my excitement as I received orders to relieve Commander Daigle as the commanding officer of USS Louisiana," said Zacot. "With a well-deserved reputation as the newest and most capable submarine in the strategic deterrent fleet, it is truly a humbling and daunting responsibility to command such a formidable ship and to follow in Commander Daigle's mighty footsteps."

Louisiana is one of eight Ohio-class Trident ballistic missile submarines stationed at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, providing the most survivable leg of the nation's strategic deterrent forces.

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