Submarine Squadron Twenty of the U.S. Navy held a change of command ceremony Sept. 16 at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia.
Capt. Eric Cole relieved Capt. John Cage as the squadron's commodore in a ceremony held at the base chapel.
Cage, who was raised in Jefferson City, received his commission through the Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelors degree in engineering physics. He earned a masters degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Missouri.
Cage addressed Squadron Twenty's submarine commanding officers and thanked them for their hard work and dedication.
"We ask a lot of you in your job," said Cage, who took command in April 2021. "We send you to sea on the oldest submarines in the Navy to execute the most important duty in our nation's defense. It is a no-fail mission, and you execute it flawlessly."
Cage acknowledged the staff and their work to uphold the mission of Squadron Twenty.
"Your efforts have ensured our boats were able to keep the main thing, the main thing -- strategic deterrence of our adversaries," Cage said. "Those late night calls ensured our SSBN force remained a credible defense around the clock, every day of the year. The importance of this mission remaining credible to our adversaries cannot be overstated."
Rear Adm. John Spencer, previous commander of Submarine Group Ten, was the guest speaker for the ceremony. Spencer awarded Cage with the Legion of Merit Award for his service as commodore.
"John, let me be the spokesman for the U.S. Navy and our nation when I say thank you for keeping us safe," Spencer said. "I've been honored to serve with you and hundreds of sailors and officers have benefited from your leadership and mentorship. You should be very proud of all that you have done."
Under Cage's tenure, Squadron Twenty was recognized as the top performing and largest submarine squadron in the Atlantic Fleet. They supported 33 ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) strategic deterrent patrols, two extended refit periods, and three extensive modernization refits amidst a world-wide pandemic. Squadron Twenty submarines completed multiple unprecedented overseas operations to include the first transit to the Mediterranean Sea and a port visit to Gibraltar in more than 20 years.
"There is a long legacy of excellence at Squadron Twenty and your leadership of this extraordinary staff has fostered a command that not only knows how to succeed as a staff, but even better they know how to foster excellence in submarine commands on the Kings Bay waterfront," said Cole, the incoming commodore.
Cage's personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), and Navy Achievement Medal (four awards). For his next assignment, he will report to Submarine Group Ten staff.
Submarine Squadron Twenty is responsible for the maintenance and operations of five Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines -- USS Alaska, USS Tennessee, USS West Virginia,USS Maryland and USS Rhode Island. Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay is home to all east coast Ohio-class submarines.