The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN 727) held a change-of-command ceremony at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, July 7.
Capt. Joe Turk relieved Capt. Erik A. Burian as commanding officer (CO) of Michigan. This was the first time Michigan conducted a change-of-command in Japan.
Burian assumed command in April 2013. Under his leadership the Blue Crew completed three valuable Western Pacific deployments and three productive forward-deployed repair periods that ensured the ship remained mission-ready across the spectrum of submarine operations.
Turk previously served as deputy chief of staff for strategic forces, nuclear weapons and force protection at Commander, Submarine Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) in Pearl Harbor.
Burian’s next duty station will be at COMSUBPAC.
Michigan is homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington and is forward deployed to Guam for mission cycles lasting about a year and a half.
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Image: US Navy