Commander Luke Kelvington

Commanding Officer, Gold Crew, USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735)

CDR Luke E. Kelvington is a native of Akron, Ohio and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. After completion of SCUBA and nuclear training, he reported aboard the USS ALBANY (SSN 753). While aboard ALBANY, he served as Chemical and Radiological Controls Assistant, Damage Control Assistant, and Communicator, and qualified in Submarines in June 2008. He served as Engineer of USS SAN JUAN (SSN 751). As Executive Officer of USS MAINE (SSBN 741)(GOLD), he took MAINE out of the shipyard and returned the ship to strategic service in the Spring of 2020.

During his first shore tour, CDR Kelvington served as aide to Navy Recruiting Command and completed a Master of Science in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas. Following his tour at NRC, he attended the U.S. Naval War College, completing a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies and JPME Phase I, and he was a member of the Gravely Naval Research Group. He received the David Lloyd Leadership Award and the L. Y. Spear Award upon completion of the Submarine Officer Advanced Course. Following his Department Head Tour, he served as the Requirements Officer for the COLUMBIA Class SSBN at OPNAV N97, Undersea Warfare Division. He recently served on the Commander’s Action Group at United States Southern Command, earning his Joint Qualification.

CDR Kelvington’s personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, and the Navy Commendation Medal with four Gold Stars. He is also proud to have served with teams earning the Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle Es, Strategic Deterrence Patrol Insignia, and Arctic Service Ribbon.