By MC2 Ronald Gutridge
COMSUBPAC Public Affairs
(PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii) – Capt. James Childs relieved Capt. Daryl Caudle as Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 3, in a time-honored change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam submarine piers, Tuesday, June 21.
Rear Adm. Frank Caldwell, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, guest speaker at the event, spoke on Caudle's exceptional performance as commander of the submarine squadron.
"The job of a commodore is many faceted," said Caldwell. " When it goes right, you get none of the credit, but when it goes wrong, you are critical to getting it fixed and you take the blame. For it's the Commodore who possesses the maturity, professional skills, insight and sixth sense to help a commanding officer get their ship back on course. I've heard from those who have worked with Commodore Caudle that he does this superbly."
Following his remarks, Caldwell presented Caudle with the Legion of Merit for decisively commanding the oldest and most tactically diverse submarine squadron in the Pacific Fleet. Under Caudle, six submarines deployed to the Western Pacific, where Squadron 3 submarines conducted missions "vital to national security." Additionally, Caudle oversaw two inter-fleet transfers and three shipyard overhauls.
During his remarks, Caudle expressed his satisfaction and appreciation for his squadron staff as well as the crews of the submarines that fell under his leadership. He noted their exemplary performance during evolutions with surface forces, maritime control aircraft and allied nations.
"Successful commands can only achieve excellence when they work together as a cohesive team with a common vision where followers are themselves strong leaders," said Caudle. "My staff is perhaps the most perfect example of this assertion. I am certain that the Squadron 3 staff is the hardest working, most technically diverse and professionally intrusive team in the submarine force."
As Capt. Childs assumed command of CSS-3 he praised Caudle for the squadron's outstanding reputation on the waterfront and described how honored he is to be selected for this position of trust.
"Capt. Caudle, you have paved the way to success for a period of tremendous transition that will be very challenging, but most certainly also very rewarding," Childs said. "For the squadron staff, ship crews and families, be assured that I will do everything in my power to ensure safety and success. There is nothing more important to me than the people that breathe life into the machines of our trade and those at home that allow our Sailors to do their essential jobs day in and day out."
Caudle's next tour is at Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, as chief of staff. His sea tours included assignments on USS George Washington Carver (SSBN 656G), USS Stonewall Jackson (SSN 634B), USS Sand Lance (SSN 660), USS Montpelier (SSN 765), USS Jefferson City (SSN 759), USS Topeka (SSN 754) and USS Helena (SSN 725).
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