Cmdr. Todd Massidda relieved Cmdr. Melvin Lee as commanding officer of USS Alabama (SSBN 731), July 13 in a change of command ceremony held in Deterrent Park at Naval Base Kitsap at Bangor.

“Cmdr. Lee has commanded the mighty Alabama through a period of remarkable history for the ship’s history and history for our nation’s strategic defense,” said Capt. Derek Hesse, commander, Submarine Squadron 19. “His time in command was quite a bit different than what most other commanding officers of strategic submarines get to experience.”

Hesse said that while commanding officer, Lee was able to lead the crew through three successful strategic deterrent patrols and conducted pre-deployment training with USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Strike Group for submarine defense.

“Cmdr. Lee and his crew became a part of the nation’s history last October when the completed the final strategic offload and formally decommissioned the Navy’s Trident ONE C4 ballistic missile system,” said Hesse. “He and his crew closed the final chapter perfectly on the weapon system which helped the United States win the ‘Cold War.’”

Cmdr. Lee was grateful for the support he has received during his tour as Alabama’s commanding officer. and at the ceremony. For his end of tour award, he received a Meritorious Service Award; which he attributed to the excellence of Alabama’s crew.

“It is a tribute to all of you that your teamwork and your loyalty to each other and the ship resulted in a distinct continuity regardless of who ate their meals in the wardroom, at the chief’s table or in the crew’s mess,” said Lee. “I am proud to be counted among you.”

Before receiving his orders and departing for the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., Lee requested his former crew to continue striving for excellence and challenged them to support the new commanding officer as they have supported him in the past.

“Our nation is at war and our nation needs you,” said Lee. “I challenge you to continue to provide Cmdr. Massidda the same dedicated motivation and drive that caused you never to miss an underway.”

Massidda was happy for the opportunity to lead Alabama’s crew and is ready to get the submarine out of dry dock and back into the war on terrorism.

“We (Alabama crew) are leaders at a critical time in our nation’s and our Navy’s history, as we continue to fight a global war against a determined enemy at home and abroad,” said Massidda. “This is why the American people need our ship back on the front line, as the ultimate deterrent.  I stand ready to help our team get Alabama refueled, rearmed and ready for 20 more years.”