USS San Francisco Hosts Change of Command Ceremony

A pier side change of command ceremony was held for Commander, Submarine Squadron 11; and Commander, Submarine Forces U. S. Pacific Fleet Representative West Coast, aboard Los Angeles-class submarine USS San Francisco (SSN 711), June 8.

Capt. Thomas Ishee relieved Capt. Richard Correll as commanding officer.

Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Rear Adm. James F. Caldwell Jr. was the guest speaker at the ceremony. He congratulated Correll on a job well done and remarked that Ishee comes to Submarine Squadron 11 with impressive credentials and many successes.

“I look forward to serving with you,” said Ishee, “and to supporting the crews of Squadron 11 units, who proudly serve our great country.”

While under Correll’s command, Squadron 11 oversaw submarines deployed to the Arabian Gulf, Western Pacific, Southern Pacific and the Arctic. Correll also oversaw the successful implementation of the East Pacific Integrated Training Syndicate (EPITS) initiative, which has greatly enhanced Anti-Submarine Warfare training in the Third Fleet.

Ishee thanked Correll for his thorough turnover and commended his successful command tour.

“Congratulations on a truly outstanding tour as Squadron 11’s commodore, and best of luck to you on your follow-on assignment,” said Ishee.

Correll’s next assignment will be director, Submarine Officer Distribution, Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn.

Ishee entered the submarine force in February 1988, with early sea tours aboard USS Sea Devil (SSN 664), USS Narwhal (SSN 671), USS Tunny (SSN 682) and USS La Jolla (SSN 701). He reported as commanding officer of USS Key West (SSN 722) in March 2006, where the ship completed a Western Pacific deployment, earned a Battle Efficiency “E” award, and was awarded the Pacific Fleet Arleigh Burke Trophy. He later served as director of Operations for Commander, Submarine Group 7. Most recently, he managed the U.S. Pacific Command portfolio of plans for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.

Submarine Squadron 11 is located aboard Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego and consists of six Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, three Torpedo Retrievers, and a floating dry-dock. The squadron staff is responsible for providing training, material and personnel readiness support to the six submarines.

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Naval Today Staff, June 11, 2012