USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) Holds Change of Command
By MC2 Shannon Warner
Submarine Squadron 11 Public Affairs

Release Date: 7/23/2010

(NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif.) - Cmdr. Christopher J. Cavanaugh relieved Cmdr. Michael G. Badorf as Commanding Officer of the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) during a pier side change of command ceremony on Naval Base Point Loma, July 23. 

Under Badorf’s command, Albuquerque steamed more than 50,000 miles in support of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Maritime Strategy.  He successfully completed an inter-fleet transfer and change of homeport from Groton, Conn. to San Diego as part of an around the world six month deployment through three Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

 Rear Adm. Jerry K. Burroughs, Program Executive Officer of Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence, was the guest speaker.
“As a former commanding officer, each time I see this wonderfully ship, it rekindles fond memories,” said Rear Adm. Burroughs. “The best day in a Navy Submarine Officer’s career is the day one assumes command of a boat.”

Cavanaugh expressed his enthusiasm in his upcoming command tour stating, “I have been continually impressed by the motivation, the optimism, and the general desire to do well on Albuquerque... For me, there is no higher honor than to lead you as your commanding officer.”

Cavanaugh, a native of Convoy Ohio, began his Navy career in 1993 after graduating from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Badorf, a native of Lititz, Penn., will serve his next tour of duty as the senior member of the Atlantic Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examination Board in Norfolk, Va.  His previous assignments include USS Portsmouth (SSN 707), USS Charlotte (SSN 766) and USS Asheville (SSN 758).  He holds a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from University of California at Berkeley and a master’s degree in international affairs from the Catholic University of America.