NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif. – Cmdr. John Croghan relieved Cmdr. Brien Dickson as Commanding Officer of USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) during a pier side ceremony on Naval Base Point Loma Nov. 22.
Capt. Thomas Ishee, Commander, Submarine Squadron 11, was the guest speaker at the ceremony. He congratulated Dickson on a job well done and remarked that Croghan comes to Jefferson City with impressive credentials and many successes.
Under Dickson’s command, Jefferson City 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. The submarine traveled more than 62,000 nautical miles under Dickson’s command.
“All that Jefferson City has accomplished, could not have been achieved without the hard work and diligence of the Sailors,” said Dickson, addressing the Jefferson City crew. “You should be very proud of these accomplishments, as I am proud of each of you.”
Cmdr. Dickson, a native of Casper, Wyo., will transfer to Commander, Submarine Squadron Eleven, where he will serve as deputy commander.
Cmdr. Croghan, a native of Carson City, Nev., began his Navy career in 1986 as an enlisted machinist’s mate. He was selected to participate in the Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program in 1993 and attended Auburn University. He graduated with distinction in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and was commissioned via Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Pensacola, Fla.
USS Jefferson City 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, the Undersea Rescue Command, one torpedo retriever, and a floating dry-dock.
[mappress] Press Release, November 25, 2013; Image: US Navy