USS Nevada Blue Change of Command
By MCC (AW) David Votroubek
COMSUBGRU Nine Public Affairs

Release Date: 01/11/2010

KEYPORT, Wash. (NNS) -- A change of command ceremony was held for the fleet ballistic missile submarine USS Nevada (SSBN 733) (Blue) at the Naval Undersea Museum on Jan. 11.

Cmdr. Alan Schrader relieved Cmdr. Mark Behning as commanding officer of Nevada.

Guest speaker, RADM James F. Caldwell, Commander Submarine Group Nine, praised Behning for his leadership throughout the recent refueling at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance facility. He also praised the crew.

“No commanding officer succeeds without the support of his crew,” Caldwell said, “and as we look upon the USS NEVADA crew…you need to know that this crew is one of the best!”

Following his remarks, Behning was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal(Gold Star in lieu of the Third Award) for his exceptional performance as commanding officer from November 2006 to January 2010.

Behning commented on how he will miss the camaraderie of the crew and commanded Nevada Blue to, “Carry on” one last time. “Battle Born!” the crew responded in unison.

As Schrader assumed command of Nevada, he acknowledged the quality of the crew and the importance of returning the Nevada to operational status.

“NEVADA has always had an outstanding reputation,” Schrader said, “and we must work hard to bring her back to the fleet as a capable and dependable strategic asset.”

Behning graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering and was commissioned in 1989.

His sea tours include USS Philadelphia (SSN 690), USS Groton (SSN 694) USS Charlotte (SSN 766) and USS Alaska (SSBN 732) (Blue). His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and additional unit awards.