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Montoursville man takes command of US Navy’s Submarine Group 9

Rear Adm. Blake Converse, of Montoursville, receives honors from the sideboys as the official party departs following a change of command ceremony for Submarine Group 9.

Rear Adm. Blake Converse, of Montoursville, receives honors from the sideboys as the official party departs following a change of command ceremony for Submarine Group 9.

KEYPORT, Wash. — Rear Adm. Blake Converse, of Montoursville, took command of Submarine Group 9 at a change of command ceremony at the Naval Undersea Museum on Dec. 15.

Rear Adm. John Tammen, from Washington Township, New Jersey, was properly relieved by Converse during the ceremony held in the Jack Murdock Auditorium.

“Our submarine community, and specifically Group Nine, represent the best our country and our Navy have to offer,” said the event’s guest speaker, Rear Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “A team dedicated and focused on mission success, either on patrol, forward deployed or at home, the professionals who work with and for Adm. Tammen are truly exceptional. I am very proud of this command. Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and support to accomplish a mission that is so critical to our nation.”

“Adm. Converse, thank you for such a smooth transition and I wish you and your wife the best as you take the helm of the pacific ballistic and guided missile submarine force,” said Tammen, who now is director of undersea warfare at the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. “I know with your background here that you will take Submarine Group 9 to new heights.”

Converse comes to Submarine Group 9 from Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as the joint and fleet operations officer at U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

His previous command tours include the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Louisiana and commander of Submarine Squadron 6.

“It’s an honor and a profound privilege to stand before you today as the commander of Submarine Group Nine and it’s especially moving to be able to take command here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where I first took command of USS Louisiana Blue over 11 years ago,” said Converse. “A lot has changed in the last 1 years, but the mission of Submarine Group Nine and the critical importance of our strategic deterrence forces and our guided missile submarines remain a cornerstone of our defense strategy.”

Submarine Group 9 exercises administrative command and control authority for assigned Trident fleet ballistic and cruise missile submarines and subordinate commands and units in the Pacific Northwest.

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