The commanding officer of Submarine Squadron 1 passed on his duties March 12 during the time-honored tradition of a change of command ceremony at the historic submarine piers of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Capt. Harry Ganteaume, commanding officer of Submarine Squadron 1, was relieved by Capt. Timothy Rexrode.

Submarine squadron commanding officers are also known by the honorary title of commodore.

Commodore Ganteaume expressed gratitude for the team effort his staff put forth in supporting submarine crews and praised submarine commanding officers and crews that he served with at Squadron 1.

"The highlight of my tour will always be bidding farewell to deploying crews, excited about going out to do what they have been training and preparing for," said Ganteaume. "As well as welcoming them back, six to seven months later; Sailors filled with and immense sense of pride about what they have accomplished."

The ceremony's guest speaker, Rear Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander of Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), praised Ganteaume for his leadership on the waterfront and looks forward to working with him again as he transitions onto the staff of COMSUBPAC.

"Harry, throughout your tour you fostered teamwork and enabled the development of people and systems integral to our national security, now, and into the future," said Sawyer.

During Ganteaume's 18-month tour as commodore, the squadron prepared five submarines for deployment; welcomed the arrival of the newest Virginia-class submarine to the waterfront, USS Mississippi (SSN 782); and oversaw the completion of the first-ever major maintenance availability of a Virginia-class submarine at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.

"Your team's successes are successes for the submarine force, the U.S. Navy, and for our nation," said Sawyer.
Ganteaume, who calls Richmond, Virginia, home, was awarded the Legion of Merit during the ceremony for his command of Submarine Squadron 1, serving from October 2013 to March 2015.

On hand in the first rows of the attending audience were family and friends of both Ganteaume and Rexrode, who were all warmly greeted by Sawyer.

As Rexrode assumed command of Submarine Squadron 1, he thanked Ganteaume for his leadership and thanked his family for their unwavering support.

"I am humbled and very grateful for the opportunity to come here as commodore," said Rexrode, who is from Spencer, West Virginia. "Most of all, to the entire team here in Pearl Harbor that works so hard to get submarines ready, to get them out to sea, I look forward to being part of that team."

Submarine Squadron 1 was first established in May 1941 at New London, Connecticut. On Oct. 1, 1945, Submarine Squadron 1 moved to the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, and has remained there ever since.

For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.navy.mil and www.navy.mil/local/subpac/.