Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet > Media

COMSUBRON 21 welcomes new commodore
April 8, 2021 — Capt. Tim Poe, a bulwark of the submarine community, former commander of USS Santa Fe (SSN 763), and Commodore of not one, but two forward-deployed submarine squadrons, relinquished command of Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 21 today to Capt. Eric Rozek. Poe a native of Patuxent River, Maryland, has served at least three Commander, Submarine... MORE

MANAMA, Bahrain (Apr. 8, 2021) – Capt. Eric Rozek, a St. Paul, Minnesota, native, and incoming Commodore of Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 21 addresses his staff at a change of command ceremony. CSS-21 is responsible for bringing theater support to deployed units, allowing for better coordination in submarine operational, logistics, and maintenance support, and providing oversight on submarine training and exercises to support theater operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Crouch)

CMDCM(Ret) Andy Arena - 48 years of submarine force service and counting
April 8, 2021 — Andy Arena is a born and bred child of a multigenerational military family. His father retired as a Sgt. 1st Class in the Army; his brother, who commissioned in the Air Force, retired as a Colonel after serving as commander of the Titan IV missile program. It took no one by surprise when in 1973 at age 18, Arena left Yorktown, Virginia to serve his... MORE

Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Adam Thomas
Commander, Submarine Group Seven

USS Chicago Holds Change of Command
April 7, 2021 — The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721) conducted a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, April 7.Cmdr. Andrew J. Kopacz, from Hartford, Wisconsin, relieved Cmdr. Chance Litton, from Lubbock, Texas, as Chicago’s commanding officer, during the ceremony, which was held on the historic submarine... MORE

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM (April 7, 2021) -- Capt. Mike Majewski, left, commodore, Submarine Squadron 7, presents Cmdr. Chance Litton with his end of tour award during a change of command ceremony for the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721), April 7. Cmdr. Andrew J. Kopacz relieved Litton as Chicago's commanding officer during the ceremony on the historic submarine piers at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Amanda R. Gray/Released)

Dreaming of the Silent Service
March 19, 2021 — Spending hours, days or even months submerged beneath the ocean’s surface is not how most people would imagine spending their lives. But for one Commander Submarine Group 7 (CSG7) Sailor, that is all she has ever dreamed of.Information Systems Technician (IT) 2nd Class Morgan Marsh, a native of Sparks, Nev., began her Navy career with the goal of... MORE

YOKSUKA, Japan (Mar. 10, 2021) Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Morgan Marsh, a native of Sparks, Nevada, receives her frocking letter during her pinning ceremony held at Commander, Submarine Group 7. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam K. Thomas)

USS Mississippi Conducts Change of Command
February 26, 2021 — The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) conducted a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb. 26. Cmdr. Edward Barry, from Cortland, New York, relieved Cmdr. Heath Johnmeyer, from Rolla, Missouri, as Mississippi’s commanding officer during the ceremony, which was held at the Parche Memorial on... MORE

The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) conducted a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb. 26.

Guam Sailor Earns Officer Instructor of the Year
February 17, 2021 — Santa Rita, Guam (Feb. 17, 2021) – Lt. Alfonso Sciacchitano, assigned to Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific, Detachment Guam, was announced as the 2020 Naval Education and Training Command Officer Instructor of the Year in a ceremony held at Konetzni Hall, Feb 11.Sciacchitano, a native of Marietta, Georgia, was also announced as the 2020 NSTCP... MORE

SANTA RITA, Guam (Feb. 17, 2021) Lt. Alfonso Sciacchitano, a native of Marietta, Georgia, assigned to Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific, Detachment Guam, poses for a portrait in the Submarine Multi-Mission Team Trainer at Konetzni Hall. Sciacchitano was announced as the 2020 Naval Education and Training Command Officer Instructor of the Year. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelsey J. Hockenberger)

USS Ohio Conducts Joint Operations with Marine Corps element near Okinawa
February 2, 2021 — PACIFIC OCEAN, Japan (Feb. 2, 2021) – The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) made a brief stop near Okinawa, Japan today as part of her deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, giving the crew a rare opportunity to conduct joint integration operations with a III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) force reconnaissance... MORE

PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 2, 2021) -- U.S. Marines from Force Reconnaissance Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), utilize combat rubber raiding crafts to approach the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726), deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, during an integration exercise off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. The exercise was part of ongoing III MEF-U.S. 7th Fleet efforts to provide flexible, forward-postured and quick-response options to regional commanders. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Destiny Dempsey)

CSS-15 Welcomes Navy’s Newest Chiefs
January 29, 2021 — Santa Rita, Guam (Jan. 29, 2021) – Commander, Submarine Squadron 15 advanced six Sailors to the rank of chief petty officer during a promotion ceremony onboard Naval Base Guam, Jan. 29.The ceremony followed a six-week training period known as CPO Initiation, which started the day the CPO advancement results were released.“We made great chiefs this... MORE

SANTA RITA, Guam (Jan. 29, 2021) Chief Electronics Technician (Nuclear) Josh Wagner, from Wadesville, Indiana, assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 15, is pinned to the rank of chief petty officer by his family during a CPO pinning ceremony at Konetzni Hall. CSS-15 is responsible for providing training, material, and personnel readiness support to multiple Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine commands located at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam.

USS Cheyenne Conducts Change of Command
January 22, 2021 — The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Cheyenne (SSN 773) conducted a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Jan. 22.Cmdr. Samuel Bell, from Wrightstown, New Jersey, relieved Cmdr. John Gonser, from Amityville, New York, as Cheyenne’s commanding officer, during the ceremony which was held in the Submarine Squadron 1... MORE

A graphic created to announce the change of command for USS Cheyenne (SSN 773).

USS Topeka Arrives in Hawaii for Change of Homeport
January 15, 2021 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM (Dec. 15, 2020) - The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following a change of homeport from Guam, Dec. 15.“I am very excited for this change of moving from one tropical island to another where the people, food and culture are wonderful,” said Cmdr... MORE

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Dec. 15, 2020) - The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) arrives in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, after completing a change of homeport from Guam, Dec. 15. Topeka’s ability to support a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance, has made Topeka one of the most capable submarines in the world. (U.S. Navy Photo by Lorilyn Cravalho/Released)