JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Greeneville (SSN 772) held a change of command ceremony at the historic submarine piers of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Jan. 8.
Cmdr. Brent Spillner relieved Cmdr. Terry Nemec and assumed the duties and responsibilities of commanding officer of Greeneville.
Under Nemec’s leadership, the boat completed a continuous maintenance availability ahead of schedule, executed an accelerated deployment preparation period, two combat readiness evaluations, three operational reactor safeguard evaluations, and a deployment in the Western Pacific that included first-ever interactions with Philippine and Malaysian submarine forces.
"What I will remember most and reflect on when I walk the passageways of memory, is the individuals going about the daily grind, impromptu conversations during cleanup or on my way to workout, or the words of wisdom spoken from an unexpected source at just the right time,” said Nemec. “I could stand here and cite an example for each member of the crew, but there simply isn’t time. But know that your unique interactions made the tour special and that will be cherished.”
Capt. Wesley Bringham, commander, Submarine Squadron One, presided over the ceremony.
Bringham presented Nemec with a Meritorious Service Medal during the ceremony for his outstanding service as commanding officer and for demonstrating superb leadership from June 2017 to January 2019.
Nemec’s next assignment will be at commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“Greeneville, after twenty years, including seven deployments and constant waterfront duty, I can simply conclude that it is the dedication to your shipmates and your continued improvement that allows our asset to stay submerged for thousands of hours across millions of square miles of ocean, in calm seas or raging storms, to project power across the globe and maintain the safety of our home,” said Nemec. “There is no other measure of future success than hard work performed with efficiency. Remember, be on target on time, be excellent ambassadors on liberty, and seek perfection daily.”
Spillner comes to Greeneville from the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Springfield (SSN 761) where he was the commanding officer from November 2016 to October 2019.
“To the men of Greeneville, we have our work cut out for us, but I know that we’re up to the challenge and that you’re ready to haul down the rest of this staging, cast-off lines, and get back to business,” said Spillner.
“There’s absolutely nowhere I’d rather be than on deployment with this terrific crew.”
Greeneville measures more than 360 feet long and weighs more than 6,900 tons when submerged. It was christened Sept. 17, 1994, and commissioned on Feb. 16, 1996, at Naval Station Norfolk. The Greeneville arrived at its current homeport of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in March 1997.
For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.csp.navy.mil.