USS Hampton Holds Change of Command

NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif. (NNS) -- USS Hampton (SSN 767) held a change of command ceremony on Naval Base Point Loma Oct. 5.

Cmdr. Lincoln Reifsteck relieved Cmdr. David Lott as commanding officer. Capt. Richard Correll, director, Submarine Officer Distribution, Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn. was the guest speaker at the ceremony.

Correll congratulated Lott on a job well done and remarked that Reifsteck comes to Hampton with impressive credentials and many successes. Under Lott's command, Hampton completed a Central Command deployment and conducted operations in a wide range of environments demonstrating the submarine force's ability to provide U.S. combatant commanders highly capable, multi-mission platforms to support both the maritime strategy and national security objectives.

Hampton's and Lott's accomplishments were recently recognized when Hampton was named the recipient of the 2011 Marjorie Sterrett award for superior performance in intra-type battle efficiency. Hampton also won the Battle 'E" Efficiency award in 2010 and 2011.

"I want to thank my crew for all their hard work, dedication and loyalty throughout my tenure as commanding officer," said Lott. "The teamwork demonstrated every day by the crew of Hampton inspired me and I would not have been successful without them."

Cmdr. Lott, a native of Natchez, Ms. will remain in San Diego and will next serve as deputy commander, Submarine Squadron 11.

Reifsteck, a native of Fairfield, Calif. began his Navy career in 1995 when he was commissioned after earning his Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the United States Naval Academy. His previous assignments include USS Alaska (SSBN 732), USS Charlotte (SSN 766), USS Columbus (SSN 762), and Submarine Assignments Branch Head and executive officer Detailer for Navy Personnel Command. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University.

USS Hampton is homeported in Naval Base Point Loma and is assigned to Submarine Squadron 11, which consists of six Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, three Torpedo Retrievers, and a floating dry dock.