The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Washington (SSN 787) conducted a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, July 19.
Cmdr. Keith Turnbull relieved Cmdr. Clinton Christofk as commanding officer of Washington with family, friends, and shipmates in attendance.
Capt. Timothy Poe, Submarine Force Atlantic’s director of operations, and the ceremony’s guest speaker, spoke on Christofk’s time as Washington’s commanding officer.
“Your legacy on the Blackfish is set and you have trained a generation of future war fighters,” said Poe. “Unless you’ve worn the command-at-sea badge, you don’t appreciate the wide range of challenges, stresses and elations that come with it. Command can be lonely, exhilarating and frustrating all in the same day, sometimes in the same hour. You have handled yourself well and you endeavored to overcome.”
Poe went on to welcome Turnbull as the boat’s new commanding officer and offered him advice and words of encouragement.
“I was very happy to hear that you would be taking the reins of Blackfish,” said Poe. “You are the right person to transition into the shipyard and back out again to ensure Washington not only maintains her warfighting spirit and skills, but comes back stronger, better and ready.”
Before the transfer of command took place, Christofk took time to express gratitude to his crew for their support and hard work.
“I want you all to know that it was the honor of my life to serve as your captain,” said Christofk. “I hope I lived up to your expectations. You are not just Sailors. You are steely-eyed killers of the deep. You are 147 men and women from across our nation who answered the call and are ready to take the fight to our adversaries anywhere in the world. On our boat, you demonstrated why those that oppose freedom and democracy should fear the Blackfish.”
After assuming command, Turnbull addressed those in attendance as the boat’s new commanding officer.
“It is both an honor and a profound responsibility as I stand before you, assuming command of this extraordinary submarine,” said Turnbull. “My message today is truly one of thanks and appreciation. To the crew, I am honored and excited to lead such a distinguished group of Sailors. Each of you plays a vital role in our operations, and together, we make a formidable team. As we embark on this new chapter, let us remember that our strength lies in our ability to work together, to support one another, and to uphold the highest standards of our profession.”
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.
U.S. Submarine Forces execute the Department of the Navy’s mission in and from the undersea domain. In addition to lending added capacity to naval forces, Submarine Forces, in particular, are expected to leverage those special advantages that come with undersea concealment to permit operational, deterrent and combat effects that the Navy and the Nation could not otherwise achieve.
U.S. Submarine Forces and supporting organizations constitute the primary undersea arm of the Navy. Submarines and their crews remain the tip of the undersea spear.