The ceremony took place at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. Former Secretary of Interior and former Boise Mayor Dirk Kempthorne also participated in the event.
Cmdr. Scott S. Luers relieved Cmdr. Brian L. Sittlow as commanding officer.
Sittlow’s command was recognized for a number of notable accomplishments, including two successful deployments to the European Command Theater of operations supporting national strategic goals. During Sittlow’s command the ship was the most decorated submarine in the Navy, winning the 2010 U.S. Fleet Forces Battenberg Cup as the best ship in the Atlantic Fleet; the 2010 Commander, Submarine Squadron Eight and 2012 Commander, Submarine Squadron Six Battle Efficiency Awards, and other awards for excellence. Sittlow also was recognized for his leadership by being awarded the 2012 Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale Inspirational Leadership Award.
The USS Boise is known for the strong bond it holds with the City of Boise, often donning Boise State Bronco colors and supporting the team in a variety of different ways.
Navy press release on the change of command
NORFOLK (Feb. 22, 2013) - From left to right, Capt. Mark J. Olson, Deputy Director Plans and Programs, Commander, Navy Installations Command, Washington, D.C.; Cmdr. Scott C. Luers, commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764); Boise, Idaho Mayor David Bieter; Dirk Kempthorne, the 49th U.S. Secretary of the Interior and former U.S. Idaho Govenor and Senator; Tom Killingsworth, chairman of the USS Boise commissioning committee; Boise outgoing Commanding Officer Cmdr. Brian L. Sittlow; and Capt. Blake Converse, Commander, Submarine Squadron 6, Norfolk, Va., pose for a photo after a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 22. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Meshel/Released) FULL SIZE
NORFOLK (Feb. 22, 2013) - Cmdr. Scott C. Luers relieves Cmdr. Brian L. Sittlow as commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764) during a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 22. (U.S. Navy photo)
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NORFOLK – The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Boise dons a Boise State Bronco-colored lei as it returns to Naval Station Norfolk from a regularly scheduled deployment on Nov. 8, 2012 (U.S. Navy photo)
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