PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) – Naval Submarine Support Command (NSSC) Pearl Harbor held a change of command and retirement ceremony at the submarine piers on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, May 18.
Commander Lawrence D. Ollice, commanding officer of NSSC, was relieved by Cmdr. Michael D. Eberlein.
Guest speaker Capt. Steve G. Mack, who is currently serving at U.S. Pacific Command in the Current Operations Branch (J33), applauded Ollice for his dedication and leadership.
"Larry excelled in his capacity to train and mentor Sailors, said Mack. "He not only mentored but set an excellent example inspiring a sense of patriotism and honor.”
Mack also commended Ollice for his years of faithful service.
“Thirty years of service is an uncommon achievement and one for which Larry and his family should be extremely proud,” said Mack.
During the ceremony, Capt. Marc Stern, Maritime Operations Center Director, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, presented Cmdr. Ollice with the Legion of Merit Medal for exceptional meritorious conduct in a performance of outstanding service as commanding officer of NSSC from March, 2013 until May, 2016.
Ollice took time to thank those in attendance as well as the men and women he’s been commanding.
“All the Sailors at NSSC work incredibly hard every day supporting the waterfront,” said Ollice. “We are not perfect; however, we strive for perfection. I cannot ask for more.”
Commander Eberlein addressed his new command for the first time and commended them on their hard work and dedication.
“It has been eye opening learning what you do every day to make the largest and busiest submarine port in the world function smoothly,” said Eberlein. “It is an honor and a privilege to be part of the NSSC team, and I am excited to have the opportunity to serve with you.”
Eberlein served as executive officer of USS Houston (SSN 713) in Guam from 2009 until 2011. Following his executive officer tour he reported to U.S. Pacific Command in Honolulu, where he served as the senior field representative for the National Reconnaissance Office. He subsequently moved to the Pearl Harbor waterfront, serving from June 2014-May 2016 as the deputy commander for readiness at Submarine Squadron 1.
NSSC provides quality operational support in areas including operations, material and communications to submarines homeported in Pearl Harbor, their crews, families and the staffs of Submarine Squadrons 1 and 7.
For more news from the Pacific Submarine Force, visit www.csp.navy.mil.