USS Key West Holds Change of Command
By MC2 Ronald Gutridge,
COMSUBPAC Public Affairs
Release Date: 10/24/2010
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – A time-honored change of command ceremony was held for the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Key West (SSN 722) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, aboard the former battleship Missouri (BB 63) today.
Cmdr. Curtis Duncan relieved Cmdr. Robert Koonce as commanding officer of Key West.
Guest speaker Capt. Daryl Caudle, Commander, Submarine Squadron 3, praised Koonce for his exceptional performance while commanding Key West as well as the crew on their accomplishments under Koonce's leadership.
"Cmdr. Koonce is an outstanding leader with impeccable standards and relentless drive. He excels in tactics, training and execution of all submarine missions," said Caudle. "He is the backbone of the crew under his leadership, which has made Key West hands-down the most reliable, well-trained and tactically proficient submarine in Squadron 3. I am extremely proud of all of them and their drive for excellence."
Following his remarks, Koonce was awarded the Legion of Merit for his exceptional performance as commanding officer from March 2008 to Oct. 2010.
In his closing remarks, Cmdr. Koonce acknowledged that the majority of the submarine's success during his time as commanding officer could be attributed to the crew and their hard work efforts.
"These great submarines that we operate are complex and sophisticated machines that require significant maintenance to keep them fit to fight. Today, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the men that helped USS Key West successfully complete the past two and a half years of operations under my command," said Koonce. "To the crew of Key West, you are patriots who have stepped up to serve your country and you work hard with so little thanks. You don't shrink from it and you don't turn your back on your commitment to protect our nation."
As Cmdr. Duncan assumed command of Key West, he too recognized the quality of the crew he was inheriting and promised to carry on the excellence.
"Over the past few weeks I have been able to observe and talk to many of the crewmembers of Key West," said Duncan. "I have been impressed with their professionalism and their dedication to getting the job done, but most importantly, getting it done right. I could not be any more fortunate as to step into a command with a crew as fine as Key West."
Koonce will report for duty to Commander, United States Pacific Fleet Nuclear Examining Board.
Koonce graduated from the University of Illinois in May 1991 with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering. In September of 1991, he earned a commission through Officer Candidate's School in Newport, Rhode Island. He subsequently earned a Masters in Business Administration with distinction from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Business in August 1998.
His sea tours include USS Chicago (SSN 721), USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) and USS Philadelphia (SSN 690). Koonce's personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (six awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal (three awards).
