The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS John Warner (SSN 785) conducted a change of command aboard the decommissioned Iowa-class battleship USS Wisconsin in Norfolk, Virginia, May 19.
Cmdr. Chris Turner relieved Cmdr. Ryan Heineman as commanding officer of John Warner with family, friends and shipmates in attendance.
Before handing over command of John Warner, Heineman took time to express how proud he is of his crew for a successful tour.
“I am absolutely proud of the crew, wardroom and Chiefs Quarters I worked with during my tour,” said Heineman. “The boat is an outstanding group of individuals coming together as a ridiculously strong team. This was showcased during the commanding officer changeover during deployment, which has not been done in recent history, and they did it like champions.”
While assuming command, Turner addressed those in attendance as the boat’s new commanding officer.
“It is a tremendous privilege to be in command of this great warship,” said Turner. “I look forward to leading this fine group of men and women on our next mission.”
Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or preparation of regional crises.
USS John Warner is the 12th Virginia-class attack submarine and the first ship to bear the name of Senator, John Warner. The submarine was built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, Conn., and commissioned Aug. 1, 2015. The 377-foot ship has a current crew complement of 15 officers and 117 enlisted Sailors and displaces more than 7,800 tons of water.